Gisborne, Wairoa among regions benefiting from $150,000 donation of fence posts and rails

A delivery of 3600 fenceposts and rails donated to the Te Araroa, Wharekahika/Hicks Bay and Wairoa communities to help with flood relief is on the way.

Tairāwhiti will benefit from a $150,000 donation of fenceposts and rails to provide a boost to recovery efforts in North Island communities hit by severe storms and floods since January this year.

Seven trucks and trailers are delivering more than 7000 fence posts to Wairoa and Gisborne, along with the Hauraki Rail Trail, which runs near Paeroa.

The donation will contribute to the restoration of more than 30km of fencing.

It has been made possible through funding from The Packaging Forum and several of its scheme members, including Essity, Griffins, James Crisp, Mondelēz, Nestle, Pepsico, Sanitarium and Woolworths.

The posts are made from recycled soft plastics, including those collected through the Forum’s Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme.

“Some of these communities have had a tough start to the year, with storms and floods causing significant damage to pastures, paddocks, fencelines and walking trails,” Packaging Forum chief executive Craig Miller said.

“We are incredibly appreciative of the members that are working with us to make this donation happen.”

More than 1800 fence posts will be delivered to Ruatōria to support farmers in the hardest hit areas of Wharekahika/Hicks Bay and Te Araroa.

“The forum is working with Gisborne District Council and Gisborne Rural Advisory Group to facilitate the process,” Miller said.

More than 1800 fence posts will also be delivered to Wairoa to support properties and projects impacted by flooding in January.

“The forum is working with First72 and the Wairoa District Council and Rural Advisory Group to facilitate the process,” he said.

The rest of the posts and rails will go to Paeroa to restore a section of the Hauraki Rail Trail, which was severely damaged in January.

Manufactured by New Zealand business Future Post, the donated post products have been made from 100% recycled plastic waste, including soft plastic collected through the soft plastic recycling scheme bins at supermarkets around New Zealand.