Global farming community rallies around Hawke's Bay

The page was established to raise money for the region’s agriculture sector which was devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle late last month.

Repair costs from Cyclone Gabrielle are expected to exceed $13 billion and the economic costs are already reported to be in the billions.

The Give-a-Little page was set up by agritech company Te Pari, based in Oamaru, with funds going directly to the Rural Support Trust for distribution.

East Coast Rural Support Trust chairperson Clint Worthington says 100% of the donations will go to impacted communities in the region.

“These donations won’t just go towards the next month or two, but will be helping farmers set up for the long-term as well,” says Worthington.

He says that the recovery from an adverse event like the cyclone happens in three stages: 1. Response and ensuring safety during the first few weeks; 2. Recovery, which he says can take three to four months; and 3. Rebuilding.

“There is massive damage, and it will take years to recover from, so we need to have that long-term focus.”

Te Pari marketing manager Corban Blampied is coordinating the fundraising effort and recently travelled to the region to speak with farmers.

“The devastation was much worse than we expected,” he says.

Buried farm houses in Rissington. Photo Credit: Te Pari

“The clean-up will be nearly insurmountable and local farmers will be hurting for a very long time. We’re asking farmers and people in other rural communities from around the world to band together and offer these guys some financial support to help get the sector moving again,” Blampied says.

Fifth generation farmer Daniel Absolom of Rissington Cattle Company says the farm has limited road access after the bridge connecting them to town was washed out.

He says that while they have been offered a lot of support from other farmers, they still feel like they’re on their own.

“For now, we’re just focused on getting families safe and happy and in their houses with power, food, water and fuel in another weeks’ time we’re going to need people supporting with shovels,” Absolom says.

Meanwhile, Martin Pastoral farm manager Dave Martin says his farm had only recently recovered from the damage caused by floods in the region in March 2022.

“Eleven months ago, we were devastated by the damage and destruction from the last floods and now we’re back to square one. Only, this time it’s worse than it was last year,” Martin says.

Debris clogs the beachfront, including a 40ft container. Photo Credit: Te Pari

“We weren’t expecting a flood of this proportion, let alone thinking that we could have a flood bigger than Cyclone Bola.”

To donate, head to https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/give-for-cyclone-gabrielle