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Jacinda Ardern has yet to visit Southland.
Questions are being raised about the government’s lack of concern for Southland flood victims.
Last week, Rural News reported that the flooding had affected more than 100 farms, with many dairy farms inaccessible for milk collection.
The Government announced on Friday that it will contribute $100,000 to the Southland regional Mayoral Relief Fund.
The funding is going towards Rural Support Trusts to help farming businesses recover.
Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said on Twitter that the $100,000 is initial funding, with the government assessing over the coming days and weeks.
Andrew Thompson @Pandasport questioned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s whereabouts alongside photos of his work with Federated Farmers volunteer clean-up group, Farmy Army.
#farmyarmy volunteers hard at work in #southland the #forgottonprovince ,it would be nice to see @jacindaardern come down for a look or is #Southland #tooblueforahug @HamishWalkerMP @blairdrysdale77 @GrantMcCallum4 @TheCountry @deanrabbidge @katrinathomas67 @TheMusterShow pic.twitter.com/5hQUVeQizY
— Andrew Thompson (@Pandasport) February 9, 2020
Baron Von Andrew @AndrewNZ20 asked why the media was not sharing concerns about the PM’s lacking Southland presence.
Why hasn't the media asked Jacinda why she has yet to make any attempts to visit the South?
— Baron Von Andrew. (@AndrewNZ20) February 8, 2020
NO wonder there are people who say she's a #PartTimePM always missing in action when it counts. #nzpol
Geoff Booth @GeoffsNZViews posted a popular tweet taking aim at the level of funding provided to Southland.
Agriculture Min Damien O'Connor offers a pathetic $100,000 for Southland flood relief & Southland farmers
— GEOFF BOOTH NZ Politics & Stuff (@GeoffsNZViews) February 5, 2020
However if someone in Gore owns up to having any kind of semiauto, a $10M joint govt/police operation will swing in to action in the town at dawn. #nzpol #SouthlandFlooding https://t.co/WaSYeCj1Oi
If you are a flood-affected farmer interested in having your voice heard in an online article, tweet us at @RuralNews or message us on Facebook.
OPINION: Feds Southland 'pres' Jason Herrick and colleagues who continue the good fight against bureaucratic madness on behalf of farmers, have had another win - for now, at least - getting a court decision granting a 'stay' on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until changes can be made to section 70 of the RMA by central goverment, somtheing they clearly signaled after the election.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.
Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson says the present weather conditions remain challenging for farmers.
While it has been a great spring and summer for farmers, soil moisture levels in the Waikato are now plummeting as the dry February starts to bite.
Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick says farmers are prepared for winter grazing every year.
The 2025 game bird season is underway with Hawke’s Bay and Southland reporting the ideal weather conditions for hunters – rain and wind.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
