Native Forest Champions Honoured at Fieldays 2026
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced funding for three programmes focused on enhancing regional capability, emergency response and long-term community resilience.
The combined investment of $260,000 aims to ensure rural communities are better equipped to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters and other adverse events.
Funding for Rural Advisory Groups
The largest portion of the investment, $160,000, will be used to enhance the capabilities of New Zealand’s 16 Rural Advisory Groups.
Rural advisory groups are critical regional bodies representing the primary sector and rural communities, especially during adverse weather events. They include sector groups such as Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ.
Supporting Taskforce Kiwi's Emergency Response
$50,000 will also be invested to enable Taskforce Kiwi to swiftly mobilise and deploy its skilled volunteers to support rural communities affected by disasters.
McClay says both the advisory groups and Taskforce Kiwi have demonstrated effective and well-appreciated support when rural communities need it most.
“Farmers and growers across the country have seen first-hand how these groups can lend expertise and a helping hand following adverse events.”
Patterson says resilient rural communities are not built in the midst of adversity; they are built through preparation, connection, and capability long before challenges arise. That is why investing in initiatives such as Taskforce Kiwi and Rural Advisory Groups is an investment in stronger rural communities.
These initiatives help strengthen the skills, confidence, and capacity our communities need to respond, recover, and thrive when adverse events occur.
“Both in times of crisis and ahead of them, this Government is focused on ensuring rural New Zealanders remain resilient.”
Building Leadership for Resilient Communities
A further $50,000 will be used to develop the capacity and skills of rural leaders responsible for planning and preparing their communities for future challenges.
The initiative aims to strengthen local leadership, improve strategic planning and build long-term resilience across rural regions.
“Rural New Zealanders are a resilient bunch and there are many in our communities who are ready to step up and provide support during an emergency," McClay says.
“We want to foster these individual’s strengths so they have what they need and their communities can be prepared.”
“Supporting farmers and growers to be well prepared for adverse events helps lessen the impact of such events on farms, food supplies and the wider economy," he concludes.
