Australian teams to help repair North Canterbury irrigators after storm
Moves are afoot to get a team of Australians over here to help repair North Canterbury's irrigation machinery, ravaged by the big windstorm of late October.
Rural insurer FMG says it has lodged almost 1500 claims following Cyclone Gabrielle.
The farmer-owned co-operative says it is doing everything it can to support impacted clients.
“Firstly, our thoughts go out to all those impacted, and we encourage clients to keep their personal safety, and that of their family and staff top of mind when assessing damage” says Karen Williams, FMG’s rural propositions manager.
“As you would expect the claims coming in are mostly for water damage to property, vehicles, and contents.
“We appreciate communication and electricity lines are challenging in some places, so we want clients to know we have options when it comes to lodging a claim, either now, or when connectivity improves in their area,” says Williams.
FMG says there are two ways clients can lodge a claim: either call them on 0800 366 466 or via FMG Connect on their website.
Given the size and scale of this event, along with road access challenges, it will take time to get assessors out.
“Some of our assessing team have begun seeing clients, and we’ll be prioritising our most vulnerable clients first,” says Williams.
“We appreciate things are difficult right now. Please know that when you’re ready and able to get in touch, we’re here and ready to help with your claim.”
Visiting US climate change expert Dr Will Happer says the idea of reducing cow numbers to greatly reduce methane emissions is crazy.
Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for "The Twelve Pests of Christmas" in an effort to highlight the most troublesome farm pests.
The Rapid Relief Team (RRT) has given farmers in the Tararua District a boost as they rebuild following recent storms.
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.

OPINION: Your old mate welcomes the proposed changes to local government but notes it drew responses that ranged from the reasonable…
OPINION: A press release from the oxygen thieves running the hot air symposium on climate change, known as COP30, grabbed your…