Helen Moodie is the Recovery Facilitator for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's (MAF) Rural Support Trust (RST). RST sets out to provide support and services to the farming community, including coordinating the initial response to adverse weather events.

Preparation and planning have become key components, helping ensure rural communities are able to minimise damage and make a rapid recovery following adverse weather events. The issues of climate change and increasing frequency of adverse weather events have prompted a broader national debate about the future of farm planning and the importance of sustainable land management.

January 2010.

The government have formally declared the Northland Region to be in drought following a request from the 'RST Northland'. This provides some help to farmers, enabling standard government measures such as income and tax relief to take effect.

Helen Moodie in her role as RST Recovery Facilitator stated,

"The conditions afflicting most of Northland are the worst I've seen since the early 1980's, with some of the rainfall sites recording the lowest November levels ever."

It is important that farmers know what to do under these difficult circumstances, who to turn to for assistance. The key is to act now, put together a plan, review it regularly and get help if necessary.

More information on the drought can be found on our specific news page>