Govt help for rural sector could be too late for some: Nats

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

Government help for the rural sector could be too late to save some rural businesses, National Party politicians say.

The party’s cyclone recovery spokesperson Chris Penk said recent announcements from the Beehive provided “belated assistance” to some struggling with the Cyclone Gabrielle aftermath.

“The reality for regions such as the East Coast, however, is that many households and businesses remain completely bereft and needing much greater consideration to be shown by central government.”

The Government announced a $1 billion support package for cyclone affected regions on Sunday, including $35.4 million to support the rural sector.

However, “major questions” remained  about what support might eventually be provided, Mr Penk said.

“Sadly, it is already approaching “too late” territory for many growers to clear silt and other debris from their land, if planting for the next couple of seasons is to take place.

“Land use decisions won’t be known to communities, even as a starting point for consultation, until the end of May. This is leaving many lives and livelihoods in limbo.

“It’s troubling that the government is paying so little attention to what our food-producing regions now desperately need.

“Certainty and support are needed in the regions now.  Those in the nation’s capital should listen and respond to these calls for action with urgency and transparency. It will be better late than never if they do so now, but the window is closing.”

National’s East Coast electorate candidate Dana Kirkpatrick said support for the horticulture sector was “conspicuous by its absence” from ministers’ press releases at the weekend.

“While we agree with some aspects of the recovery budget it is more than disappointing to note there has been no recognition of the importance of agriculture and horticulture to the regional economy.

“The sector employs nearly 4000 people in our region and provides the highest portion of our regional GDP. The effect of lost income will reverberate through our communities and just add more stress to people trying to cope with the cost of living as they face more uncertainty about the future.

“Our farmers and orchardists now face an enormous uphill battle, at a time when winter is bearing down on us making cleaning up even more difficult. From what I am told they are devastated and it is a real blow to already shattered morale.

“In addition, the real proof will be in delivery of the recovery works outlined in the press release including the welcome support for mental health in schools. But I am also extremely concerned about the ongoing effect of this on our rural people’s wellbeing. As well as the children in schools, the men and women in our community are suffering. I know this because I raise money for mental health support in my spare time and I know that every cent could be spent 10 times over. This is a very real and present issue and it could have used a significant boost.

“The Government has said it wants recovery to be led locally. My fear is that there are not enough people locally to lead that recovery while ‘business as usual’ continues and it will be hard to get traction.”

Katie Nimon , the party’s candidate for Napier echoed those thoughts.

“The funding from MPI and MBIE hasn’t even touched the sides when it comes to the scale of what our farmers, growers and businesses have to deal with.”

“Our farmers and growers have fallen between the cracks in this Government’s approach to cyclone recovery.  Uninsurable land damage could be the end for the East Coast primary sector, if left to foot the bill.

“The landscape from Napier through to Gisborne has been set back decades. While rebuilding infrastructure is important, providing support for the industries that feed our economy is also vital.”