The government has announced an initial $4 million to help farmers, growers, whenua Maori owners, and rural communities coordinate recovery efforts. The industry is encouraged to take precautions, avoid floodwater and follow official advice.
Property:
- Report flooded homes and any need for temporary accommodation to your local council.
- Assess damage to water supply and reticulation systems. Which stock water troughs are contaminated with silt and will need cleaning?
- Assess damage to access lanes, tracks, gateways, culverts, and fences. What flood debris needs to be cleared?
- Assess damage to pastures and the depth and type of silt.
- Assess available non-flooded pastures and other unaffected feed reserves.
- Accept help when offered, and ask for it if you need it.
Be sure to update NAIT records if you have to move stock because of flooding.
Insurance Advice:
- Lodge your claim as soon as possible, even though you may still need to get all the information.
- Take notes and photos of all damage.
- Talk with your insurer during the call about temporary accommodation support if needed.
- Carry out emergency repairs, such as making buildings safe and weatherproof. Take photos of any damage you’re repairing to add to your insurance claim.
- Call your insurer before carrying out non-essential repairs.
- Take photos first if you need to throw out some items, such as perished food.
Growers need to determine if crops have been directly exposed to floodwater or just floodwater ‘splash.’ Identifying any affected crops and managing food safety risks is also important.
The Enhanced Taskforce Green has been mobilised to assist with flooding-related cleanup. If you require assistance, call 0800834434.
