B+LNZ event at Ruatoria on Friday to support Coast farmers, businesses communities

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is running an East Coast community event in Ruatoria on Friday for farmers and communities up the Coast impacted by cyclones Hale and Gabrielle.

It will be on similar lines to the Rapid Relief Team’s (RRT) highly successful community support and distribution day in Gisborne on September 1.

Matanga whenua Māori for Beef + Lamb NZ Pania King said nine months after the cyclones, rural communities were still working hard to rebuild infrastructure and so on to bring some form of normality to their whānau, whenua, businesses and communities on the Coast.

Mrs King approached the RRT to support the day by providing fencing equipment.

“That farmers from the Coast had to travel to Gisborne from as far afield as Waikura Valley for that distribution day was not ideal.

“After a few hui with RRT they agreed to provide some fencing packs to give away, and I have been able to secure additional fencing materials from other sponsors, including some second-hand vineyard fencing gear from Indevin.”

Mrs King has been working to get East Coast farmers registered.

“After connecting and working with our local businesses and Ngāti Porou Runanganui and Oranga, we managed to secure the funding and extra support needed to run the event this Friday.

“I would like to thank our awesome local businesses for their kind koha, generosity, support and understanding of why this event is well overdue for the Coast.

“Also a massive shout out to the team behind the scenes doing the do.

“To all our volunteers who will be supporting on the day, you all are amazing.

“I’m looking forward to connecting and sharing whakaaro with all on Friday and I know the local farmers and communities will be very appreciative of the support coming to all.”

The B+LNZ Ruatoria event will be staged at the Ruatoria aerodrome from 10am to 3pm on Friday, with barbecue kai on offer, a bouncy castle, ice cream, candy floss, coffee, health checks, specialist advice and the free fencing gear.

“Kia kaha Coasties.”