Jolted into action for quake-hit farmers

Grant Campbell, Federated Farmers' earthquake recovery liaison.

It's been almost three months since the Kaikoura-Hurunni earthquake but the damage to land and property and the implications are still unravelling for the affected farmers and their rural communities.

Many farms in some of the most remote parts of North Canterbury and Marlborough are still to be assessed by geotechnical engineers, with the scarred and broken landscape still undergoing change from subsequent aftershocks.

"The recovery is going to be a monumental task, to trace the damage and map out land remediation. It's likely to take years," says Grant Campbell, Federated Farmers' earthquake recovery liaison.

Grant is well versed in crisis management. A former policeman, he has a background in rural fire, was an operations manager for the Department of Conservation (DoC) and involved in the Christchurch earthquake response, where his training and expertise in the Co-ordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) was utilised.

He recalls the chaos and trauma of the Christchurch earthquake but says the Kaikoura event requires a "different operational approach".

"There's been heaps of support and offers coming in for farmers, but the locality and extensive nature of the damage makes the response more complex. The reality is you can't have a 'farmy army' or students tramping through the high country.

"The terrain is dangerous and the weather unpredictable at the best of times, let alone after an earthquake."

During his time at DoC, Mr Campbell became familiar with the North Canterbury farming community and terrain, instilling a balanced approach to the economic and environmental use of the land.

"I've always been community-minded and enjoy working with people, so when the Feds' offer came up, it was something I instantly knew I wanted to do."

The 0800 (327 646) helpline set up by Federated Farmers immediately following the quake matching farms with workers had provided welcome assistance and comfort at a time of distress and uncertainty.

"High country farmers are generally resourceful, but they really appreciate the helpline; they can feel Feds' presence in the community co-ordinating the response effort and advising the way forward," he says.

The quake recovery and the decisions made now regarding it would be profound for the whole community.

"Some farmers are going to have to make big calls around how they farm in the future. The landscape has changed forever, but there is an opportunity for rebirth and regeneration and there's plenty of motivation out there to do it."