Farmers affected by adverse events

If you're a farmer and have been affected by an adverse event (eg, flood or drought) which is classed as medium or large-scale by the Minister for Primary Industries, you may be able to get a Rural Assistance Payment.

Information

Financial assistance and other support for farmers and growers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle is available from the Ministry of Primary Industries.

Rural Assistance Payments are not currently available for these events.

Who can get it

You may be able to get a Rural Assistance Payment if:

  • your farm is your main source of income, eg:
    • meat
    • wool
    • dairy products
    • arable farming
    • aquaculture
    • sharemilking
    • an orchard
    • bee-keeping
    • herb or flower growing
    • a market garden
    • poultry farming
  • you're finding it difficult to meet essential living expenses through your farming business
  • you have no other significant income and assets connected to your farming business.

You can only get this help when the Minister announces that an area and/or type of industry needs assistance. This is usually after that area or industry has been affected by:

  • a natural disaster, eg flood
  • a climatic event, eg drought
  • a biosecurity incursion, eg a pest, or disease which has come into New Zealand.
What is an adverse event
Rural Assistance Payment

Related

Urgent or unexpected costs
Seasonal worker