Latest news with #RuralAssistancePayments
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Support For Flood Affected Farmers And Growers
Hon Todd McClay Minister of Agriculture Minister for Rural Communities The Government today classified the flooding across the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions as a medium-scale adverse event unlocking extra support for flood-affected farmers and growers Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say. 'Last week's deluge damaged infrastructure such as livestock fences, culverts, and tracks, and left pasture and orchards covered in silt and flood debris,' Mr McClay says. 'The Government is making up to $100,000 available to support and coordinate recovery efforts, including up to $20,000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust. The remainder of the funding will be made available to other organisations that work with farmers and growers on-the-ground. 'Today's classification unlocks further support for farmers and growers, including tax relief. It also enables MSD to consider Rural Assistance Payments and activating Enhanced Taskforce Green.' This funding is on top of $100,000 already contributed by the Government to the Mayoral Relief Fund. Mr Patterson is encouraging flood-affected farmers and growers to seek support if they need it and to monitor the weather forecast. 'It's important to help those farmers and growers and rural communities now facing a big clean-up effort, such as fixing damaged fences,' Mr Patterson says. 'The government, via Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) On Farm Support will continue to work closely with sector groups and the Rural Support Trust to determine where the need is and how the funding will be allocated. 'Farmers and growers will face many months of work to get back on track. We will continue to assess what further support is needed to assist recovery efforts. 'There is a risk of further rain this week. We are encouraging farmers to stay informed through MetService forecasts and to take necessary precautions, such as moving livestock to higher ground.' Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Government extends aid for drought-hit farmers in Horizons region facing long recovery
'We know farmers in these regions have been significantly impacted by low rainfall over recent months and we want people to be able to access support when they need it,' Upston said. Whanganui farmer and ex-president of Federated Farmers Whanganui Mike Cranstone said despite the drought being over, the effects would spill over into the next seasons. 'Obviously, it has an impact on production this season, whether it's lower lamb carcass weights or milk production on dairy farms,' he said. 'With the dry autumn we've had this year, it's likely to impact on lambing percentages next spring.' Cranstone said adapting to more extreme seasons had become part of the job and there was an increased focus on reducing the impact of the now inevitable weather events. 'Farmers are used to these challenges and having to adapt to different seasons so it's nothing really new,' he said. 'What farmers try to do is to minimise the impact on production next season.' An element that helped local farmers get through the dry season was cheap feed from the less-impacted East Coast farms. 'Farmers are using feed crops a lot more now to protect their lamb growth rates in extended dry periods,' Cranstone said. Patterson encouraged affected farmers to contact their local Rural Support Trust to see what help they could get and to apply for the Rural Assistance Payments. 'Droughts often have a sting in the tail with the cold, tough winter months still to come. We know how hard it can be to recover from a drought and we are here to support farmers through it,' he said.
RNZ News
22-04-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Government extends assistance for drought-affected farmers
Drought on a farm in South Taranaki, March 2025. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin The government is extending Rural Assistance Payments to farmers affected by drought in the North Island and upper South Island. In a statement, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson and Social Development Minister Louise Upston encouraged farmers in affected areas to talk to their rural support trust to find out what help is available. Eligible farmers would have the farm as their main source of income, and be finding it difficult to meet essential living costs due to the drought. The payment amounts are equivalent to the jobseeker benefit, and can be lowered depending on earnings and any money or off-farm assets. They will be available from next Monday 28 April to 28 October, in the following districts: "We want to help eligible farmers whose income has been severely affected by drought-stricken conditions," Upston said. "Droughts often have a sting in the tail with the cold tough winter months still to come. We know how hard it can be to recover from a drought, and we are here to support farmers through it," Patterson said.
RNZ News
22-04-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Government extends assistance for drought affected-farmers
Drought on a farm in South Taranaki, March 2025. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin The government is extending Rural Assistance Payments to farmers affected by drought in the North Island and upper South Island. In a statement, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson and Social Development Minister Louise Upston encouraged farmers in affected areas to talk to their rural support trust to find out what help is available. Eligible farmers would have the farm as their main source of income, and be finding it difficult to meet essential living costs due to the drought. The payment amounts are equivalent to the jobseeker benefit, and can be lowered depending on earnings and any money or off-farm assets. They will be available from next Monday 28 April to 28 October, in the following districts: "We want to help eligible farmers whose income has been severely affected by drought-stricken conditions," Upston said. "Droughts often have a sting in the tail with the cold tough winter months still to come. We know how hard it can be to recover from a drought, and we are here to support farmers through it," Patterson said.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Financial Support On The Way For Drought-Hit Farmers
Press Release – New Zealand Government Mark Patterson is encouraging farmers doing it tough to get in touch with their local Rural Support Trust to find out what help is available and to apply for a Rural Assistance Payment if they need it. Hon Louise Upston Minister for Social Development & Employment Minister for Rural Communities The Government is making more financial support available for eligible farmers in many parts of the North Island and upper South Island to help with essential living costs, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say. 'Rural Assistance Payments are being made available from Monday 28 April 2025 in 27 districts affected by dry conditions. We want to help eligible farmers whose income has been severely affected by drought-stricken conditions,' Louise Upston says. 'We know farmers in these regions have been significantly impacted by low rainfall over recent months, and we want people to be able to access support when they need it. 'These Rural Assistance Payments are being made available until 28 October 2025, when farmer incomes are expected to lift.' Mark Patterson is encouraging farmers doing it tough to get in touch with their local Rural Support Trust to find out what help is available and to apply for a Rural Assistance Payment if they need it. 'Droughts often have a sting in the tail with the cold tough winter months still to come. We know how hard it can be to recover from a drought, and we are here to support farmers through it,' Mark Patterson says. Farmers in the Northland, Waikato, Taranaki, Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui, including Tararua), and the Top of the South Island (Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson City) regional council areas can apply for Rural Assistance Payments.
