Source: New Zealand Police
Wairarapa Police are issuing a safety appeal to the local farming community when operating off-road vehicles and machinery after recent severe weather.
Over the last six months, our region has seen an unprecedented amount of rainfall, which has led to highly variable ground conditions.
Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom says extensive slipping on farm tracks, combined with waterlogged paddocks, has left large areas of rural terrain highly unstable, uneven, and slippery.
“Due to this, there has been a significant increase in the risk of serious incidents on local properties due to the treacherous and wet conditions.”
In the last six months, Police have attended about six incidents where individuals have either been seriously injured or have sadly died.
“Our thoughts are with the effected individuals, families, and loved ones of those involved in these incidents, and our enquiries into these matters continue,” says Inspector Thom.
“This message comes at a critical time as the region’s busy lambing and calving season is in full swing.
“We are strongly urging all farm owners, managers, and operators to review their safety vehicle protocols, particularly when navigating sloped surfaces and steep hillsides.
“Farmers are urged to choose the right vehicle for the specific job, ensure all machinery is regularly serviced, and very that every operator is competent, trained, and wearing the correct personal protective equipment,” says Inspector Thom.
Sarah Donaldson of the Wairarapa Rural Support Trust says the Trust has reinforced this safety message, emphasising the profound emotional impact that vehicle and machinery accidents have on rural teams and farming families.
“Our sympathy goes out to every single family and member of our close-knit community who has experiences a serious injury or tragedy on a farm.
“During the lambing and calving season, and through this extra challenging post-storm period, we encourage everyone to be on the lookout for one another, be aware of the impact of fatigue, and take extra precautions on the land.
“History and analysis of incidents over the years shows that injury and death can occur to even the most experienced operators, so all rural folk are urged to think carefully about their own situations and experiences when it comes to operating all rural machinery,” says Sarah Donaldson.
In response to these ongoing challenges, the Wairarapa Rural Support Trust is actively scoping avenues to offer community farm safety courses.
Following a recent wind event in February, the Trust successfully hosted a rural women’s chainsaw course to address immediate community needs, alongside previous 4WD safety course.
The trust is hopeful to expand these initiatives to provide specialised quad-bike and side-by-side equipment training in the near future.
Wairarapa Police and the Rural Support Trust urge the entire agricultural sector to prioritise safety, slow down, and carefully assess track and ground conditions before operating any machinery.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/11/wairarapa-police-urge-farmers-to-be-safe-following-severe-weather/