NZ Launches Rural Resilience Workshops to Help Farmers Prepare for Disasters

A nationwide series of rural resilience workshops aimed at helping farmers and growers prepare for natural disasters and adverse weather events will begin next week, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced.

The initiative comes after a summer marked by significant rainfall and flooding, which caused widespread disruption to farms, orchards and rural infrastructure across parts of New Zealand.

Strengthening Farm Preparedness

McClay said the workshops are designed to help rural communities strengthen their preparedness for emergencies such as storms, floods and other climate-related events.

"Significant rainfall and flooding this summer have caused damage to farms and orchards, and had an impact on freight, transport and other infrastructure," McClay said.

"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 programme will focus on practical strategies that farmers can use to safeguard livestock, protect infrastructure and maintain operations during extreme weather events.

Nationwide Workshops and Rural Roadshow

The catchment-based emergency preparedness workshops will be delivered across multiple regions of the country to ensure local communities receive tailored guidance relevant to their conditions and risks.

In addition, a Rural Resilience Roadshow will take place on the West Coast this month, bringing together experts, local leaders and farmers to share knowledge on managing and responding to emergencies.

These events are intended to build stronger collaboration between farmers, rural organisations and government agencies responsible for disaster response and recovery.

Supporting Rural Communities in Emergencies

Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson said rural regions are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters due to their exposure to extreme weather and reliance on infrastructure networks.

"Rural communities are highly exposed to the impacts of emergencies, and preparation is key," Patterson said.

"The workshops are designed to be practical to help rural New Zealanders prepare for and respond to adverse events."

The initiative reflects the government's focus on strengthening rural resilience as climate variability increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

Practical Tools for Farmers

Alongside the workshops, the government is encouraging farmers to develop farm emergency plans to help them respond quickly and effectively during crises.

Resources available to farmers include:

• A farm emergency plan template

• An adverse event preparedness checklist

• Guidance on protecting livestock, crops and farm infrastructure during emergencies

These resources are available through the Good Farm website and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

Officials say better preparedness can significantly reduce the impact of disasters on farms, helping rural communities recover faster while protecting both livelihoods and animal welfare.

More information and planning resources are available at MPI's website:https://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-rural-support/adverse-events/preparing-for-adverse-events