Some in the cyclone-battered Hawke’s Bay and Tai Rāwhiti regions are describing further relief funding for the primary sector as “a drop in the ocean”.
The Government has announced another $26 million support package to help farmers and growers devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle,more than doubling the size of its fund for farmers and growers.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said more than $17.4 million had been paid out to the primary sector hammered by the cyclone.
In his post-cabinet announcement on Monday Hipkins said it was clear that more funding was going to be required.
He was grateful for the support but the number was a “drop in the ocean”.
“The average farm around us would probably be looking at $200,000 worth of damage just from infrastructure losses and also in some cases stock and also cashflow situations with restricted access.
“So it doesn’t go far in that regard.”
Stock farmers and those with crops were eligible for grants of up to $10,000, while other growers could access $2000 per hectare up to a maximum of $40,000.
Silt and flood-wrecked furniture on an orchard near Hastings where apple trees once stood. Photo / RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham
Pakowhai livestock farmer Peter Johnstone, who also suffered extensive damage, believed the amount didn’t go far.
Machinery loss in Pakowhai and Puketapu was “colossal” and could amount to billions of dollars, he said.
“Twenty-six million is bloody great, but it’s a little drop.”
Hawke’s Bay apple grower Brydon Nisbet was looking at a cost of $50,000 a hectare just to remove the silt - without any repairs to fencing and other remediation.
However he was confident the maximum $2000 per hectare under the current tranche of funding was just a start, and the Government was aware it would need to put more money in.
Federated Farmers Gisborne president Toby Williams said the key was understanding the scale of the damage and what it would take to repair it all, and that would take time.
Toby Williams in Tolaga Bay. Photo / RNZ / Maja Burry
Williams’ Tolaga Bay farm escaped the worst of the damage in the region but those in catchments nearby were devastated, he said.
“We’re really appreciative of the government stepping in and helping out [and] doing this in small stages - getting an understanding of what’s happening, and then being able to tailor something that’s going to be more effective in the long term to help people get back on their feet again.”
Some farms would have well over $100,000 in fencing damage, he said.
Esk Valley apple orchard owner Malcom Davie told RNZ the one size fits all approach of its relief fund did not work.
Esk Valley on February 20, following Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo / RNZ/ Nick Monro
He declined an interview as he only had one per cent battery on his phone and was still without power.
Federated Farmers’ Gisborne/Wairoa acting provincial president Charlie Reynolds also said the amount was nowhere near enough.
