Recovery is under way across the flood-hit South Wairarapa, but the river work that could ease the next event is being held up by regulation, says Wairarapa farmer Shane McManaway.

“It’s going to take a long time for some of these people to come back from this; it’s devastating,” he says.

The rain set in last Friday, with flooding and slips heavily damaging farms.

“The highest rainfall I’ve heard of is 500mm, but lots got 300mm, and the area just could not take it.”

Community support and New Zealand Rural Support have rallied to support those affected, though resources are limited.

“[They are] making sure people are safe and have access to stores and medical requirements.

“Right up there with that is livestock welfare, making sure that livestock are being cared for.”

About 450 people remain cut off in the Ngawi and Cape Palliser regions, with bridges washed out and slips across a wide area.

McManaway says rules, including the Resource Management Act, have stopped much-needed river work over the years.

“Our river levels have now become as high as our land, and we’re not allowed to take gravel out.

“We’re facing the consequences today.”

McManaway will hold a meeting with affected farmers and authorities on Friday, where they will ask the governing bodies to lower the threshold so work can start. He says it is time for central government to step in with the funding to get it done.

“A lot of us have got our own big diggers and equipment that we could get in and start doing some work, but we’re constrained to do that in case we breach some code of practice.

“Now is our time to stand up and get on and lead, and that’s what we’re doing.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.