Situation and outlook for New Zealand agriculture and forestry (August 2007)
Recovery assistance after adverse events
The primary sector in New Zealand has always faced the risk of adverse events. Landowners face the primary responsibility for preparing for the worst. Individuals, communities, and businesses that plan ahead are likely to be much more resilient and able to recover quickly when an adverse event occurs.
The Government’s response to an adverse event depends on the size of the event. Assistance for events that affect local areas or districts could include:
- Task Force Green helping with the clean-up;
- welfare measures;
- tax relief;
- technology transfer or the provision of management information; or
- facilitators to help with recovery measures.
In a large-scale event, the Government may also implement a special recovery measure to reimburse a share of costs for the:
- restoration of uninsurable on-farm infrastructure;
- re-establishment of uninsurable pasture, crops and forestry; and
- initial clean-up of silt and debris.
Reimbursement under this special recovery measure is at a rate of 50 percent, with an excess of the greater of $10 000 or 10 percent of damage costs. Assistance is capped at a maximum of $250 000 per farm business.
Further information is available on the MAF website (http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/rural-nz/assistance).
MAF is also going to work with existing Rural Support Trusts, or assist the development of trusts, to increase their ability to manage the adverse event response and recovery process.
Contact for Enquiries
Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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