Government Declares Medium-Scale Adverse Weather Event in Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury
Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.
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.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Sirma Karapeeva has resigned from the role.
The winners of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at Copthorne Solway Park in Masterton on Thursday evening.
Environment Southland is welcoming this week’s decision by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the release of Blaptea elguetai, a leaf‑feeding beetle that will help control the highly invasive Chilean flame creeper.
This March, the potato industry is proudly celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March alongside the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the vital role women play across every part of the sector — from paddocks and packhouses to research, leadership, and innovation.
Fruit trader Seeka posted a record profit and returns to shareholders in 2025.
Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.