c. Disaster relief
Disaster relief programmes can contribute to environmental degradation by distorting risk perceptions of land users and thereby encouraging unsustainable use of land and other resources. Funding for disaster relief has declined from a five year average of $26.4 million between 1986 and 1991 (ranging from $1.2 million in 1987/88 to $72 million in 1988/89 due to Cyclone Bola), to $5.6 million in 1992/93 and only $574,000 projected for 1994/95, as part of a government policy to encourage better risk management practices by landusers. Under the government's Recovery Plan (Natural Disasters and Emergencies within New Zealand), financial assistance is now limited to disasters which are beyond the ability of a region or community to manage, with limited or no direct assistance to agricultural producers for lost production or infrastructure. Producers are expected to manage their operations so as to reduce risks of loss due to climatic disasters and to use private insurance to manage residual risk.
Implementing Agency: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
1994/95 Budget: $574,000
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