| 39 Huge challenges in wake of cyclone The Candy farm in the Hangaroa district just out of Gisborne. Ben, Rose, Mark and youngest son Matt at the farm’s ram sale last year. This year’s sale rams. Ange Davidson The impact of the devastation left by Cylone Gabrielle on farming communities in the east coast of the North Island and Northland will be felt for many years to come. The category 3 tropical cyclone caused loss of life and livelihoods, with economic losses expected to be in the billions. For Mark and Rose Candy, farmers in the Hangaroa district just out of Gisborne/Te Tai Rawhiti, the heavy rain and high winds caused massive flooding, destroying kilometres of fencing, causing slips, stock losses and felling plantation forests. “The cyclone has caused unprecedented damage and widespread havoc in the area. We received 500 ml of rain in 24 hours and that was on top of 230 ml rain from Cyclone Hale a couple of weeks earlier. We still have our house so we’re one of the lucky ones,” says Mark. “The Mangahauhau Stream turned into a raging torrent. It was incredible to see full length trees travelling sideways in flood waters. The Mangahauhau runs into the Hangaroa River where six bridges were taken out. For farmers without bridges, it’s a logistical nightmare trying to get stock to the sales yards,” he says. Replacing fencing is the main job for most farmers in the area, as without good fences and paddocks, they are unable to farm livestock. Pay outs for insurance claims are moving slowly and farmers are footing the bill for fencing. “We’re all haemorrhaging money on fencing. We’re starting at the back of our farm while there’s still access before winter, and we’re racing to the front. We’re working really hard to get back to the point where we can continue farming. With so much widespread damage, it’s hard to get hold of fencers or even digger contractors but everyone is helping each other as much as they can,” says Mark. “There’s been incredible kindness and generosity from people out of town and we’ve had guys from Taumaranui helping fix fences and other guys donating baleage. A disaster really brings the best out in people. It’s awesome,” he says. Mark and Rose have the Mangahauhau Hampshire and South Suffolk Stud and were quick to divide the farm into three paddocks to keep his stud ewes at opposite end of the farm to the rest of his stock. They lost 25 stud ewes to flooding and slips but with the road to Napier opening at the end of May, they were able to get the sheep scanner up in time for the annual ram sale in December. “The grass is growing and the stock look fantastic. We’re just trying to carry on as per normal and I’m feeling pretty positive about how it’s going. We’re making progress and with the farming crew, we got a couple of kilometres of fencing in last week. RURAL PEOPLE » Mark and Rose Candy Call us on 06 868 7200 Cartage of livestock, fertilizer, general farming supplies, citrus, apples, and kiwifruit. I can physically see things happening which makes a big difference to morale,” Mark says. Representatives from Ministry of Primary Industries, fertiliser companies and MPs have been keeping people up to date with what they can expect at regular community meetings, and Rural Support has facilitated funding for social get togethers to encourage people to take a break from the hard work to connect and socialise with neighbours and friends. “You need to take this one day at a time, find a starting point and keep on going. If you believe you are buggered, then you probably are,” laughs Mark. N & J FENCING CONTRACTOR Rural Fencing | Yard Design/Build | Residential Fencing | Horticultural 027 960 7483 | nicholasherries@outlook.com
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