Farmers and Growers
Updated information can be found at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-rural-support/adverse-events/dealing-with-floods/The devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle has had an impact on the lives of people, livestock and companion animals. The land has been ravaged, waterways affected and livelihoods significantly impacted. Many people have been left homeless and most people will require a level of practical, financial and emotional support to get through what is likely to be a long road to recovery.
Ask for and accept help
Farmers and Horticulturalists are self reliant, stoic and resilient but you are still human. You will go through tough times so it is important to:
- Accept that your thoughts and feelings that may feel foreign to you are normal reactions to abnormal circumstances
- Communicate with others and ask for and accept help offered
- Ensure that your basic health needs are taken care of, even in these difficult times it is important to eat, sleep and take small moments of rest
- Farmstrong have some information about improving well-being and preventing burnout and some of this will be helpful in the aftermath of the cyclone and flooding https://farmstrong.co.nz/wellbeing-topics/burnout/
- Contact your local Rural Support Trust http://www.rural-support.org.nz/Regions/North-Island/East-Coast
- Keep up to date through Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ruralsupporttrusthawkesbay/
Call East Coast Rural Support Trust now on 0800 787 254
If calling by mobile please select 2, then select 4
then select 1 for Gisborne Wairoa
select 2 for Hawkes Bay
select 3 for Tararua
select 4 for Wairarapa, Hutt Valley
Financial and other Assistance
You are encouraged to seek support from your local Rural Support Trust
0800 RURAL HELP or 0800 787 254. https://www.rural-support.org.nz
MPI will work with sector and regional groups to identify areas of greatest need.
- At this point, farmers are not able to directly apply for this funding.
Civil Defence payments are available if you have been affected by the cyclone.
- You can call 0800 400 100.
Feed Coordination Service helps match people with grazing or supplementary feed for sale to those who need it.
- You can access the service by phoning 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) or registering online so that your needs and what others have to offer can be matched.
- https://www.fedfarm.org.nz/FFPublic/Adverse_Events/National_Feed_Coordination_Service_.aspx the following:
- I need feed
- I have feed for sale
- I need grazing
- I have grazing available
Government Funding
The Government is providing an initial $4 million to help farmers, growers, whenua Māori owners and rural communities mobilise and co-ordinate recovery efforts.
This is initial funding to help with immediate and urgent needs to
- help get generators to isolated rural areas without electricity
- help re-establish vital lines of communication
- support the immediate response and get in behind local initiatives
- to conduct aerial assessments (this imagery was critical in recovery planning after the Canterbury floods in 2021).
You can find further information about financial support from the following places but this is likely to occur after assessments of damage are completed. Below are some links providing factual information and specific support. Please click on the links
Cyclone Gabrielle – Work and Income
Federated Farmers of New Zealand
Horticulture New Zealand — Ahumāra Kai Aotearoa
Fact Sheet – 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle recovery [PDF, 568 KB]
Fact Sheet – Food safety in the home after Cyclone Gabrielle [PDF, 5.1 MB]
Guidance for harvesting produce affected by flood waters for human consumption
Animal Welfare
MPI, the Massey University Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT), SPCA and HUHA are working hard together to help met animal welfare needs in the Hawke’s Bay region.
Companion Animals: MPI animal welfare staff and the animal charity HUHA and SPCA have established a temporary animal shelter for companion animals at the Hawke’s Bay Racecourse at 300 Prospect Road, Hastings.
Horses: Feed for horses and livestock has been kindly donated from outside of the area. This is available for collection and people can pick this up from Montana Arena (33 Montana Road, Bridge Pa) and Napier RDA 61 (Sandy Road, Napier).
The feed donations are being coordinated by local people who want to help anyone impacted by the flooding. They’re already been overwhelmed with generosity and have asked if people can hold on to feed then make a donation later. With widespread damage to paddocks and stored feed, the need will continue for the weeks and months to come.
For information on caring for animals after flooding, MPI has information you need to ensure the welfare of your animals
The NZ Veterinary Association has compiled a comprehensive list of resources on caring for animals after flooding
Your property
Rural Support East Coast information about what to do if your home has been flooded:
Please check the following regarding information about your property – to determine assessment of damage and needs, flooding and accomodation needs, updating stock NAIT records and insurance advice https://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-rural-support/adverse-events/dealing-with-floods/
For disposal of hazardous waste, including farm chemicals, call EnviroWaste on 0800 00 06 11.
Fact sheets about the support available
Fact Sheet – Food safety in the home after Cyclone Gabrielle [PDF, 5.1 MB]
2023 Cyclone Gabrielle recovery [PDF, 568 KB]
Women
Women may already be connected to the Rural Women’s groups. See links below
Information about Adverse Events can be found on these pages as well.
More information about getting help during disasters through MPI can be found here
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-rural-support/adverse-events/getting-help-during-natural-disasters/