Observations from George Williams, Regional Manager Eastern North Island

The full extent of the damage to farming communities on the East Coast and in the Hawkes Bay is only just becoming clear, as farmers reporting varying degrees of impact across the region. George Williams, Regional Manager for the Eastern North Island, says local Ravensdown employees are now starting to move from response to recovery.

"About two-thirds of local Ravensdown people had been working full-time getting essential supplies like food, water, and fuel to those in need. Now, most of the team are largely back to business as usual. But we still need to accommodate differences in the severity of impact from farm to farm."

Ravensdown agri managers in the region are able to go out to see some customers, while a phone call is the only way to connect with others.

“The team have been contacting hundreds of isolated farms to discuss what issues they’re facing and estimate how best they can be supported. They’re discussing recovery plans with those farms, but the number one priority is re-establishing physical access to the land."

“Regaining physical access not only means things like feed can be replenished, but also that isolated farmers can be reunited with friends, family, and people they trust."

“After two anxious and stressful weeks, the main goal is to help those still isolated experience all-important physical contact again.”