Farmy Army to head up Coast as re-fence campaign steps up a gear

Tairāwhiti farmers battling to restore fences destroyed or damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle are being encouraged to put their hand up for help.

The Commence the Re-Fence campaign is stepping up a gear on the East Coast and organisers want a clearer idea of demand, for planning purposes and to maximise “bang for buck,” says Federated Farmers Gisborne-Wairoa president Hunaara Waerehu.

Volunteers with the Federated Farmers Farmy Army have helped out in the Te Karaka area, but now the focus swings to Commence the Re-Fence, the partnership between Feds, CNH and Stevenson and Taylor that was launched at the National Agricultural Fieldays in June.

CNH and Stevenson and Taylor gifted two tractors, both equipped with fencing rammers, for use to repair and replace fences on farms and lifestyle blocks in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay slammed by the February cyclone.

With money from the North Island Weather Event Fund and donations, one of the tractors and a fencing contractor work on qualifying properties for three days, using either fencing material provided by the farmer or if resources stretch far enough, donated fence posts.

“There’s no need to feel whakamā (shy or embarrassed) about getting this help,” Hunaara says.

“Mother Nature dealt Tairāwhiti a significant blow, and the sooner we can get farm fences back to where they should be, the faster we can restore production and keep stock off the roads.”

One tractor and contractor team is currently operating in Te Karaka and Otoko and before they move on, Commence the Re-Fence will have given fencing support to 22 properties in total.

For traffic safety and animal welfare reasons the focus is roadside boundary fences but fencelines needed to keep stock out of rivers also get attention.

Federated Farmers acknowledges the invaluable help, local knowledge and energy of Beef & Lamb NZ’s Māori agribusiness adviser Pania King. The 2019 Ahuwhenua Trophy Award winner has in-depth knowledge of farming needs and her mana on the coast is proving crucial as  word spreads about the Commence the Re-Fence campaign.

“A lot of the area is whenua Māori, and we need the governors of those properties to also be aware that help with fencing is available,” Pania says.

“Reports on social media of stock on roads are helping us pinpoint fence damage hotspots.  There’s still a lot of fencing along SH35 that is absolutely munted.”

From early November the tractor and contractor combo will move up the East Coast to start in the Te Araroa, Tikitiki and Ruatōria areas and head south down SH35 again.

The Re-Commence the Fence service has been extended to March 24 next year.  Registrations should be lodged by contacting Ben Moore,  on 0274563323 or email bmoore@fedfarm.org.nz

“Once registered, we’ll be back in touch to work out a plan of attack,” Hunaara Waerehu says.

■ Beef + Lamb NZ is running an East Coast Community Day in Ruatoria on November 10 with support from Indevin, Rapid Relief Team, Ngati Porou Runanganui and other funders/partners. This event has been driven by manawhenua and the East cape local communities.