The Resilience and Response of Farm Households in the Aftermath of the 2006 Canterbury Snow Storm
Methodology
This project aimed to understand the resilience of farmers in the face of the snows of 12 June 2006. The approach adopted involved a series of interviews with farm households and others in the community closely involved in the response to the snow (see Appendix I). Thirty-one farm households in the Ashburton, Timaru, Mackenzie and Waimate districts were interviewed using a questionnaire (see Appendix II). Farms ranged in size from 120 hectare to 14,000 hectare, and the topography included flat terraces through rolling down land to extensive hill country, with corresponding altitudinal changes from sea level to 2000 metres. Farm businesses were diverse: most farms were predominantly sheep with beef and deer but there were also some dairy farms, pig farms, and arable farms (see Appendix I). Many farmers grew winter feed crops, including kale, grass, swedes and turnips, and most made hay, silage and grew feed grain. Some families had off-farm employment. Most families were involved in one or more local community organisations, including volunteer fire brigade, sports clubs, church, schools, pre-schools, dog trials, AMP shows, Search and Rescue, Federated Farmers, Lions, Plunket, and Rural Women.
Seven interviews were also conducted with the Civil Defence coordinators from each of the Ashburton, Timaru and Mackenzie districts, and representatives from MAF, Rural Women, PGG Wrightson and AgriQuality.
Figure 3: Estimated maximum snow depth following the 12 June 2006 snow storm
(Source: NIWA, 2006)
Contact for Enquiries
North Island
Phil Journeaux
Manager
North Island Regions
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 7 957 8314
Fax: +64 7 957 8315
South Island
John Greer
Regional Team Leader
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 20 280
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 3 943 1703
Fax: +64 3 943 1757
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