Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the government is injecting a further $4 million to support flood-affected Canterbury farmers.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Ashburton on Chris Allen's farm. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Ardern is in Ashburton to visit flood-stricken farmers trying to clear silt and debris before calving and lambing begins.
She is being hosted by Chris and Anne-Marie Allan, who say their 360-hectare property looks like a tsunami has gone through it, more than three weeks since torrential rain saw a state of emergency declared.
In a statement, Ardern said Canterbury farmers were facing massive costs that were not covered by insurance.
"It's clear that extra funding is needed to relieve pressure on farmers who have also been battling drought.
"On the ground assessments of farm damage are showing the impacts on some rural properties have been severe, some of which are likely to be uninsurable."
She said recovery efforts were ongoing as farmers work to rebuild from destruction of the flooding across a number of districts.
"This new funding will help ensure that they are supported and can get on with the job of fixing their farms and get their farming operations underway again."
The funding is in addition to the $500,000 committed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on 1 June.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Ashburton on Chris Allen's farm. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Acting Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri said the new funding should pave the way for ongoing recovery efforts.
An additional $100,000 will also be provided to the Mayoral Relief Fund to support Canterbury communities.
Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi said that amount follows an earlier contribution of $100,000 announced on 31 May.
"This funding will help meet the ongoing needs of individuals and families, community organisations, and marae affected by the flooding," Kris Faafoi said.
The government has now committed more than $5m to assist with the flood recovery in Canterbury.
The Ministry of Primary Industries is offering the owners of damaged properties a payment of $3500 each.
