8. Flooding, Northland—Enhanced Taskforce Green Assistance
[Sitting date: 24 July 2014. Volume:700;Page:5. Text is subject to correction.]
8. MIKE SABIN (National—Northland) to the Minister for Primary Industries : What recent announcements has he made regarding Government support for the primary sector in Northland?
Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): Las t week I declared a medium-scale adverse event for the primary sector in Northland. This declaration provides the
overarching framework for any Government support. This includes more funding for the Northland Rural Support Trust,
which plays a coordination and emotional support role for farmers and growers. The Inland Revenue Department is offering
tax flexibility, and the Ministry of Social Development is providing Enhanced Taskforce Green to help with the clean-up.
Mike Sabin : What impacts has the storm had on the primary sector in Northland?
Hon NATHAN GUY : The storm impacted around 80 percent of the Northland primary sector. With spring calving already under way and
avocados close to harvest, the storm could not have come at a worse time. However, farmers and growers are extremely
resilient and the majority are coping well. The Northland community, assisted by local MP Mike Sabin, has done a great
job of pulling together and supporting one another as they move into the recovery phase.