Rural communities encouraged to attend emergency preparedness events

A series of rural resilience workshops to help farmers and growers be better prepared for adverse events will be rolled out starting next week, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says.

"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."

The catchment emergency preparedness workshops will be held across the country, and a rural resilience roadshow is taking place on the West Coast this month.

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."

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

Note to editors:

Catchment Emergency Preparedness Workshops

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.