Government Unlocks Recovery Aid After Flooding Hits Top of South Farmers

The Government has officially classified the recent flooding across Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough as a medium-scale adverse event, triggering a suite of financial and logistical support measures for affected farmers and growers. The announcement was made by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson, following significant weather-related damage to farmland and infrastructure across the Top of the South Island.

Devastating Impact on Rural Infrastructure

The flooding, caused by an intense deluge last week, left widespread destruction in its wake. Infrastructure critical to agricultural operations — including livestock fences, culverts, access tracks, and irrigation systems — has been badly damaged or destroyed. Much of the productive land, including pasture, orchards, and vineyards, is now buried under layers of silt, flood debris, and runoff, disrupting seasonal operations and long-term productivity.

“Last week’s deluge damaged infrastructure such as livestock fences, culverts, and tracks, and left pasture and orchards covered in silt and flood debris,” said Minister McClay.

In response, the Government is releasing up to $100,000 in funding to coordinate immediate recovery efforts and ensure support is efficiently distributed.

Immediate Recovery Funding and Support

Of the newly announced funding, $20,000 is earmarked for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust to help coordinate regional responses and provide on-the-ground assistance to those in need. The remainder will be allocated to trusted local organisations that have existing relationships with affected communities and are equipped to deliver targeted support.

This new aid package complements the $100,000 already contributed to the Mayoral Relief Fund, which offers a separate source of assistance for community needs.

The adverse event classification also unlocks a broader toolkit of support, including:

• Rural Assistance Payments (via the Ministry of Social Development)

• Tax relief measures

• Potential deployment of Enhanced Taskforce Green, a government programme that mobilizes supervised work crews for recovery work like debris removal, fencing, and land clearing.

Continued Government and Sector Collaboration

Minister Patterson emphasized the importance of a swift and sustained response to help rural communities recover:

“It’s important to help those farmers and growers and rural communities now facing a big clean-up effort, such as fixing damaged fences,” he said.

He also noted the role of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) On Farm Support teams, who are actively working with sector groups and the Rural Support Trust to assess needs and determine how best to allocate the funds.

“Farmers and growers will face many months of work to get back on track. We will continue to assess what further support is needed to assist recovery efforts,” Patterson added.

Staying Vigilant: Weather Risks Persist

With further rainfall forecasted for the week, the Ministers urged farmers to stay updated via MetService forecasts and adopt precautionary measures, including:

• Moving livestock to higher ground

• Securing temporary fencing or containment areas

• Monitoring flood-prone culverts and waterways

Farmers and growers who require immediate support or guidance are strongly encouraged to contact the Rural Support Trust at 0800 787 254, where experienced staff can offer advice, counselling, and practical assistance.

A Community Resilience Test

The medium-scale classification ensures the affected regions can access national resources and relief systems tailored to agricultural recovery. However, both ministers acknowledged the long road ahead for farmers whose livelihoods depend on restored pastures, cleared orchards, and repaired infrastructure.

This event is another stark reminder of the increasing volatility of weather patterns impacting New Zealand’s primary producers. The government has reiterated its commitment to helping rural communities respond quickly and build resilience for the future.