Fences have been annihilated by the recent floods brought on by Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay, and Tairāwhiti.
Orchards, vineyards, farms, lifestyle blocks, schools, and homes are now free-range for animals.
To support the rebuilding efforts, a group of farmers in Wairarapa have launched a fencing and fundraising drive.
The initiative aims to provide assistance to those affected by the floods and help rebuild the damaged fences in the region.
Organiser Mike Butterick spoke to Lloyd Burr and explained what inspired the fundraising drive.
"Wairarapa Federated Farmers, we thought what can we do? What sort of heavy lifting can we do on behalf of the Rural Support Trust (RST)," Butterick said.
"To enable RST to focus on what they need to do, which is people and their wellbeing, we thought we would instigate a place where people could drop off fencing gear and we'll amalgamate it on behalf of the RST.
"They are the people at the coalface so at a point in time, they'll go out and divvy it out based on where they see the needs."
Burr asked Butterick what resources the fundraising drive is hoping to collect.
"Anything really. Posts, wire, netting, staples, rails, waratahs, you name it. There's a variety of fence materials that are going to be needed.
"Some of it's for emergency fencing to fence off slips, then there'll be the longer-term stuff which will enable people to split up blocks and retain some degree of control over their livestock.
"We’re coming up to a pretty critical period in the farming system, which is mating of the ewes. The success of that, or lack of, would dictate the following year's financial performance."
The initiative is expected to provide much-needed relief to those affected by the floods, and it is hoped that it will inspire others to step forward and help rebuild the region.
Donations can be dropped off at 208 Manaia Road, Masterton. To make a financial contribution to the Rural Support Trust see the account number below
Account: 06-0613-0045236-00
Particulars: WAI
Code: Your name
Reference: FENCE DONTN
Listen to the full interview between Mike Butterick and Lloyd Burr above.
You can also download the full interview on the Lloyd Burr Live podcast, and listen on the go.
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