By 1News Reporters
Tuesday 8:00pm

More financial support is being made available for farmers in parts of the country affected by dry conditions, the Government announced today.


Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston said rural
assistance payments were being made available from next Monday for 27
districts across the North Island and upper South Island.


"We want to help eligible farmers whose income has been severely affected by drought-stricken conditions.


"We know farmers in these regions have been significantly impacted by low rainfall over recent months, and we want people to be able to access support when they need it."


Payments were equivalent to the current rate of the Jobseeker Support benefit and could depend on how much farmers and their partners earned and any money
or off-farm assets they had.


Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson said farmers doing it tough should get in touch with their local Rural Support Trust to find out what help is available.


"Droughts often have a sting in the tail with the cold tough winter months still to come. We know how hard it can be to recover from a drought, and we
are here to support farmers through it."


Districts where farmers can apply include the Far North, Whangarei, Thames-Coromandel, Kaipara, Waikato, Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Waipa, South Waikato, Rotorua Lakes, Taupo, Hamilton, Otorohanga, Waitomo, New Plymouth, Stratford, South Taranaki, Whanganui, Ruapehu, Rangitikei, Manawatu, Horowhenua, Palmerston North, Tararua, Marlborough, Nelson and Tasman.


Payments would remain open to apply for until October 28, 2025.

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