Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay, has confirmed a series of rural resilience workshops to help farmers and growers be better prepared for adverse events will be rolled out from next week.
The catchment emergency preparedness workshops will be held across the country, with a rural resilience roadshow also taking place on the West Coast this month.
“Significant rainfall and flooding this summer have caused damage to farms and orchards, and had an impact on freight, transport and other infrastructure,” Mr McClay says.
“Farmers and growers have shown significant resilience getting through recent storms and ensuring the welfare of their animals. These workshops will help in emergency preparedness.”
Rural Communities Minister, Mark Patterson says rural communities are highly exposed to the impacts of emergencies, and preparation is key.
“The workshops are designed to be practical to help rural New Zealanders prepare for and respond to adverse events.”
Catchment Emergency Preparedness Workshops will be held:
18 March
Otago – Cullen Conference Room, Invermay, Mosgiel. 9.45am-4pm.
24 March
Blenheim – Landsdowne Hub. 10am-4pm.
14 April
Canterbury – Dunsandel Community Centre, Dunsandel. 11am-4pm.
23 April
Ruapehu district. Taumarunui. 10am-4pm.
30 April
Waikato. Waitomo. 10am-4pm.
4 May
Waikato. Mangatangi Hall, Mangatangi. 10am-4pm.
13 May
Bay of Plenty. Te Puna.
19 May
Northland. Whangārei.
Additional details for workshops will be available on the events section of the NZ Landcare Trust website closer to the time.
Rural Resilience Roadshow – West Coast
11 March
Westport – Sergeants Hill Hall. 6pm.
12 March
Reefton – Community Centre Hall. 11am.
Greymouth – Ashley Hotel. 6pm.
18 March
Kokatahi – Kokatahi Hall. 11am.
Harihari – Community Hall. 6pm.
19 March
Franz Josef – Community Hall. 11am.
Haast – Okuru Hall. 5.30pm.
A farm emergency plan template and an adverse event preparedness checklist for farmers can be found on the Good Farm website or on MPI’s website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-rural-support/adverse-events/preparing-for-adverse-events.
