Dry weather classification expands to North Island
The dry weather in some parts of the North Island has received medium-scale adverse event classification from the Government.
The Government is giving $12.7 million to make Northland more resilient in the face of extreme weather.
The Northland Regional Council is getting $12m for the Northland Water Storage and Use Project and Kaipara District Council $745,000 for Kai for Kaipara Water project.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says water is critical for Northland’s economy and wellbeing but is increasingly under threat from floods and drought, declining rainfall and river flows and rising temperatures.
“There are also increased demands on water resources from a growing population and economy.
“We are providing up to $12.7m through the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to ensure the region has a reliable water supply which can be used to develop underutilised land, grow new markets, create jobs and put more money into the local economy,” Peters said.
Last week Minister for Primary Industries Damien O’Connor visited Northland farmers reeling from weeks of dry weather.
Parts of the region are facing extreme heat and poor grass growth, forcing dairy some farmers to dry off cows early.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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