increase font size
Helping communities recover from the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle should be top of the Government's agenda, says Wayne Langford.
Federated Farmers vice president Wayne Langford says helping communities recover from the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle should be top of the Government’s agenda.
In an email to Federated members, Langford acknowledged the Government’s $4 million support for affected farming communities but says much more will be needed in the coming days and weeks.
“We’re grateful for the government support, but even Ag Minister Damien O’Connor termed the $4m ‘initial’,” says Langford.
“These cyclones have left in their wake damage that will total many hundreds of millions of dollars, if not billions, to put right.
“And big questions are now being asked around whether current roads and utilities networks are in the right place for the future.”
Langford says the priority of Federated Farmers’ elected leaders and staff this week has been on reaching out to isolated farms with communication, electricity and roads access severed to get an accurate handle on their needs.
“We’re working with all the emergency management, support and government agencies, and we’ve contacted the NZ Banking Association, IRD and others to urge flexibility on financial arrangements and deadlines.
“The Kiwi way is to reach out to help those affected.”
Federated Farmers has set up buttons on its website enabling people to lodge donations and offers of things like labour, machinery and generators.
“The fact is it may be a week, even weeks, before farmers hit hardest can work out what would help them most, and be in a position to call in labour help or our Farmy Army,” he says.
“Problem is, by then the sun may well be shining again and many of those unaffected will again be wrapped up in their own busy lives.
“So let’s do our best to keep in mind those whose livelihoods have been smashed.
“This is going to be a long haul to put right – and as we’ve already said to the government, it should be top of their agenda for resources and action.”
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.
Federated Farmers says climate protest group Greenpeace is manufacturing outrage and attempting to scare New Zealanders with headlines that have no basis in science.
Alliance has announced a series of capital raise roadshow event, starting on 29 September in Tuatapere, Southland.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced a new equity partnership in an effort to support pathways to farm ownership for livestock farm operators.
Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
