increase font size
The Environment Southland flood warning system has been activated.
Emergency Management southland group controller Angus McKay says the heaviest rainfall is in the north-west of Southland, with about 40mm to 60mm fallen so far today. “The models being used predict another 20mm to 30mm, so we could be looking at about 90mm of rain in total,” he says.
Steady rain will continue to fall to at least 9pm tonight and there are also high winds forecast for Fiordland and Foveaux Strait.
McKay says the intensity of the rain from Cyclone Fehi has been less than expected and the rivers are now only just beginning to respond.
“Levels are still largely below normal but the Environment Southland flood warning system has been activated because of the speed the rivers are increasing at.”
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson says the present weather conditions remain challenging for farmers.
While it has been a great spring and summer for farmers, soil moisture levels in the Waikato are now plummeting as the dry February starts to bite.
A review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has found the flood was caused by a combination of factors leading to the river backing up and overflowing.
There’s more state support available for North Canterbury farmers impacted by the ongoing drought.
Fonterra shareholders say they will be keeping an eye on their co-operative's performance after the sale of its consumer businesses.
T&G Global says its 2025 New Zealand apple season has delivered higher returns for growers, reflecting strong global consumer demand and pricing across its Envy and Jazz apple brands.
New Zealand's primary sector is set to reach a record $62 billion in food and fibre exports next year.
A new levying body, currently with the working title of NZWool, has been proposed to secure the future of New Zealand's strong wool sector.
The most talked about, economically transformational pieces of legislation in a generation have finally begun their journey into the statute books.
Effective from 1 January 2026, there will be three new grower directors on the board of the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR).
OPINION: It used to be that the National Fieldays attracted brickbats for being officious clipboard carriers, while the regional, farmer-run field…
OPINION: Your old mate welcomes the proposed changes to local government but notes it drew responses that ranged from the reasonable…
