新西兰政府将为怀拉拉帕暴雨灾区农民提供援助
新西兰政府正与怀拉拉帕（Wairarapa）地区农民及农村社区密切合作，评估近期强降雨造成的损失。此次恶劣天气导致当地多条道路和桥梁受损，并对山地牧场造成严重水土流失。
农业部长Todd McClay表示，初级产业部（MPI）工作人员正持续与当地农村支援信托（Rural Support Trust）保持联系，全面评估灾情，并研究是否需要将此次事件正式列为不利天气事件（Adverse Event）。
> “政府将在最需要的地方，为受影响的农民和园艺种植者提供有针对性的支持。”Todd McClay表示。
他同时指出，自己正与当地国会议员兼农业部副部长Mike Butterick保持沟通。作为一名怀拉拉帕农民，Butterick能够及时反映当地情况，协助政府做好应对未来天气的准备。
未来一周仍有强降雨
根据新西兰气象局（MetService）预测，未来一周怀拉拉帕地区仍将迎来多轮强降雨。
政府呼吁农民和种植者：
密切关注最新天气预警；
尽早将牲畜转移至安全地点；
检查饲料及物资供应计划；
优先保障动物福利；
做好农场基础设施防护工作。
Todd McClay表示：
> “当前正值艰难的冬季时期，确保动物福利应始终放在首位。”
求助热线
受灾农民如需协助，可联系：
Rural Support Trust（农村支援信托）
电话：0800 787 254
MPI动物福利热线
电话：0800 00 83 33
政府持续监测全国天气
农业部长表示，MPI目前仍持续监测全国各地天气警报和预警情况，如有需要，政府将进一步扩大救灾响应规模。
他最后感谢怀拉拉帕农村支援信托长期以来为当地农民提供支持和服务，并赞扬其在此次灾害中的努力与奉献。
The Government is working closely with farmers and rural communities in the Wairarapa to assess the impacts of recent heavy rain, which has damaged local roads and bridges and caused significant erosion on hillside farms.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) staff are working with and in regular contact with the local Rural Support Trust, to gauge the full extent of the damage and whether a formal adverse event classification is warranted.
“We will provide targeted support to affected farmers and growers where it is needed most,” Mr McClay says.
“I am also talking with local MP and Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick, a Wairarapa farmer himself, to make sure everything possible is being done for the region to be well prepared for further weather events over the coming week.
“MetService is forecasting further periods of heavy rain across the region over the coming week. I encourage farmers and growers to keep a close watch on weather warnings and to act early to protect their stock, infrastructure and properties.
“That means moving stock to safer ground where possible, reviewing feed and supply plans, and making sure animal welfare comes first through what is a tough stretch of winter.”
Farmers and growers needing support can contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254. For animal welfare advice or assistance during adverse weather, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33.
“MPI continues to monitor weather warnings and watches nationwide, and the Government stands ready to scale up its response if more is required,” Mr McClay says.
“I want to thank the Rural Support Trust in the Wairarapa for their hard work and commitment.”
