Help for farmers affected by coastal flooding

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule attended an urgent meeting with representatives of the East Coast Rural Support Trust and Federated Farmers this morning.

Others who attended included Peter Butler, Mayor of Central Hawke’s Bay; MP for Napier, Chris Tremain (on behalf of Tukituki MP, Craig Foss); MAF; Hawke’s Bay Regional Council; Work and Income New Zealand and PGG Wrightson.

The meeting sought to identify the needs of farmers who have been severely affected by flooding and slips as a result of last week’s storm and to develop a co-ordinated multi agency response that recognises the fundamental role that the rural sector plays in the Hawke’s Bay economy.

Lawrence Yule says” our initial focus was on restoring infrastructure, opening roads and ensuring people could access their farms - now we need to look beyond this and ensure that our farming community has the support they need to protect their livelihoods”.

As a result of the meeting, a number of key outcomes have been achieved and planning is underway to further enhance the response.

· A decision is to be sought on granting medium scale event status by MAF which would then trigger Government assistance.


· The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is instigating an intensive flyover of the area, to more accurately assess the damage to farms, which will assist in targeting further assistance.


· PGG Wrightson is currently putting together a package, which will involve selling grass seed and fencing material at cost price to affected farmers.


· A stock adoption scheme is being formulated by Federated Farmers, where small numbers of capital stock are grazed free of charge by other farmers in areas unaffected by the rainfall event. There will also be co-ordination of the commercial grazing of stock and farmers who may be able to assist are asked to phone 0800 3768448.


· A plan is being developed to provide farm labour support and it’s envisaged that volunteer farmers from unaffected areas will also be able to help.


Hawke’s Bay co-ordinator Rural Support East Coast Mike Barham says” it’s important that we clearly understand where our farmers need assistance. There is strong camaraderie across the rural sector and we are confident that unaffected farmers will band together and help their friends”.

“Approximately 50 farmers have been badly affected with another 50 affected to a lesser degree. This is a major blow for the farming sector and we need to ensure that we work together to get these farmers back on their feet” Mr Barham says.

A further meeting is to be held on Wednesday, May 11th at the Waipukurau Memorial Hall at 1pm.

At the meeting, farmers who have been affected by the flooding will be addressed by various specialists, who will have information on recovery plans for their properties. Speakers will include farmers who were badly affected by the 2004 Manawatu floods, which will ensure Hawke’s Bay farmers benefit from the experience of their Manawatu counterparts.