Survey
A rural survey is planned to provide a snapshot of Wairoa’s farming sector in the aftermath of the series of severe weather events. This is a follow-on from the first impact survey carried out in April. The aim of the survey is to provide information on the district’s current status and assist with long- term planning strategies. Questions will be based on rural recovery, identifying what has been done, what is left to be done, existing barriers, and future planning.

New year workshops
A series of workshops will be held in the new year to address reoccurring themes raised by local farmers. Recent farm engagement visits have highlighted the following:

• Access (both on-farm and market access)
• The need for guidance around freshwater farm plans
• Land recovery/erosion control
• Stream bank planting (including different plant species)
• Poles (what is supply for the ​future looking like?)

Rural clinical telehealth service
A new after-hours clinical telehealth service has been established to reduce barriers for rural communities to access primary care.
Once established, the 0800 service will provide after-hours clinical telehealth care (5pm – 8am) on weekdays, and 24 hours a day on weekends and public holidays. The service is staffed by kaiāwhina, nurses, GPs and emergency medicine specialists. The service will provide access for all rural people whether they are enrolled or unenrolled with a primary care practice.
The rural clinical telehealth service is a new addition to New Zealand’s telehealth options. Healthline – 0800 611 116 continues to operate as normal. 

In the rural space, Ashley Boardman is a Rural Recovery Advisor as part of the Rural Recovery Team for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. Her role is to connect the regional council to local farmers and catchment groups, identifying key issues that have arisen
post-cyclone and connecting the right people to help solve these issues. Ashley aims to support building resilient farming businesses through sustainable land management and planning to help future- proof assets for generations to come.
Originally from Otago, Ashley lives on a farm in the heart of the Ruakituri and is passionate about the rural sector and the great outdoors.
To discuss rural recovery, please get in touch with Ashley at ashley.boardman@hbrc.govt.nz ​

Due to inquiries relating to silt deposits, slips, erosion and waterway changes, the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has brought Will Conley from WSP onboard to assist. Will is an engineer specialising in river dynamics. This work will involve a site visit to gather background information and maps. Will’s role will then include an onsite consultation, including providing the landowner with options – and benefits and consequences of these actions. HBRC will cover Will’s first consult. Follow-up consults will be at the farmer’s cost.

Wairoa Cropping Group – Funding from FAR will be used to carry out more soil tests followed by specific advice on what can be grown on flooded river flats.