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Resources and advice for farmers affected by southern storm

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Oct 31, 2025

Our hearts go out to those affected farmers in Otago and Southland after the recent storm. While the burning need to get out there and fix or clean up everything is understandable, your safety and wellbeing – including mental health – matters more than anything else. 

General information: 

  • If you need a generator, please call Emergency Management Southland on 0800 890 127 between the hours of 8am-9pm or email welfare@cdsouthland.nz with your location and what you need. 
  • Don’t rush into risky clean-up jobs, especially with chainsaws around large or damaged trees. It’s not worth the injury, particularly when many farmers are feeling fatigued. 
  • Remember to treat all power lines as live during outage periods. Do not attempt to remove debris near lines until safe to do so. 
  • Take clear photos of all damage and record details of the damage for insurance and submit claims ASAP. 
  • FENZ has asked for fires not to be lit as water reservoirs are low. 
  • Chainsaw workshops are being developed in partnership with the forestry sector. It is important to note that windthrown trees are incredibly dangerous due to their unpredictability and considerable tension. 

Information is key during emergencies, so it is essential to stay informed where possible. Social media receives plenty of flak as a communication tool, but it is an essential channel during times of need, power and battery availability notwithstanding. 

Some key resources for those in the south below: 

Otago: 

Southland: 

General: 

Mental health and wellbeing: 

  • Farmstrong website and Facebook 
  • Farmstrong podcast: Deer farmer Harry Gaddum talks post-Cyclone Gabrielle 
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