Shane McManaway MNZM says farmers in the Wairarapa and around Kaikoura are still working through storm recovery months after the floods. The Growing Future Farmers chair has been close to the response in both regions, himself in the Wairarapa and his son Adam’s farm being heavily impacted near Kaikoura.

He says despite the major setbacks, Adam’s herd is milking better this year than last, with fencing done and water systems back in place.

“It’s incredible who just comes out of the woodwork to want to help,” Shane says.

In South Wairarapa, rivers broke their banks and wiped out bridges earlier this year. McManaway chaired a triage group alongside the regional and district councils, meeting three times to align recovery targets.

“A lot of farmers are still affected throughout the east coast with slips and fences and tracks that are gone.”

He says nominations for this year’s Zanda McDonald Award open on 1 October for those aged 21 to 35.

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.

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