Kaiaua Flood - Jan 2018

on 14 Jan 2018

Grant asks

Thank you for sharing your experience with us and for giving people the opportunity to help you after this natural disaster.

Before making a donation we just have some questions which we hope you have time to answer.

A search on Google maps show that your farm is in fact approximately 150 hectares however only 40 are mentioned in the media of which 25 were flooded which only equates to 17% of land area. Is this true?

Did you suffer any stock losses and will the stock that you now intend to sell get a fair market price?

Unreleased drone footage shows hay, will this be enough to feed your cattle in the short term?

A quick internet search shows that Mr. P. McPherson has a full time paid career apart from this property, is this still correct?

Please accept our apologies if these questions in any way offend we just need to be sure that a donation from our limited resources will go to an appropriate cause.

James

Hi Grant Riley,

Thank you for your questions regarding the situation on the farm.

In regards to the size of the farm, using google maps, as claimed, shows the farm is approximately 122Hectares (300 Acres). Of this, the majority of the land is hill country. This land is considerably less productive than the flat land (that is effected by the salt water).

With stock losses, there was one heifer that was lost due to shock. The remaining stock numbers have had to be reduced and some sold off at current market prices. Hopefully the ones that are sold will get a fair price, but it is all determined by the market. Being forced to sale at this time of year brings the risk that the prices will not be as good as they could be.

In regards to the "unreleased drone footage", this is fairly concerning that this has been filmed without knowledge. Can you please provide some contact information so that I can be in touch with for information.

But in regards to the hay that is currently on the farm (although only a fraction of what is required) the hay produced on the farm during summer is used to feed stock over the winter months, and by feeding it to stock during summer reduces the amount left for winter, which in turn causes a deficit which will require the purchase of extra feed.

My father is employed, and this is fortunate, but it does not change the fact that they were effected by the storm and need help. Stock feed is costly to purchase.

I hope this has answered your questions adequately and you will be able to provide some information about the drone footage soon.

Thanks

James McPherson