By Friday rural mail contractors had made to all accessible rural pockets but delivery was also reliant on getting the mail into the area.
“We have been reliant on flights to get mail and essential supplies up into the region as with no road access from Christchurch we have had to make alternative arrangements to even get the mail to deliver,” Sexton said.
“Our contractors have been amazing, many have their own homes turned upside down but they are prioritising their mail deliveries.”
Mail contractors were also delivering food essentials such as bread and milk to rural properties.
“We have booked space on a chopper to get such supplies into the region along with mail so we can get it out to farmers,” he said.
“You have no idea sometimes just what difference a birthday card or parcel landing in the mailbox can make, especially at times like this.
“It’s important we keep that contact and we are doing everything we can to ensure we get all rural mail delivery back on track as quick as we can,” Sexton said.
Federated Farmers adverse events spokeswoman Katie Milne said the response to the organisation’s earthquake assistance line had been fantastic.
It was fielding plenty of offers of help for farmers affected by the earthquakes but the big challenge was reaching those who might be most in need.
The number 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) had been set up for farmers to call with what they needed so that could be matched with people making offers of help.
“In these situations a lot of people want to offer support but it’s not always clear who needs it, especially in an area like this where power and communications outages make contact so difficult.
“We are directing help out to those who have contacted us and asked for support,” Milne said.
“What we need first and foremost are farmers with their own tools and who can be self-sufficient to work on farm houses in bad repair,” she said.
Feds North Canterbury president Lynda Murchison had fielded calls from many generous people wanting to help others.
“But we need to get a good understanding of where the need is greatest,” Murchison said.
“Many roads and phone connections are cut off and farmers in isolated areas are likely to be busy out on the land rescuing animals and repairing damage.
“We’re using our own networks to reach out and identify the areas worst affected and we’re on standby to assist where we can as the picture becomes clearer,” she said.
“We’re grateful to all those who have offered support.
“As work begins to recover from the big shake and the aftershocks, it’s clear the Kiwi spirit of helping out neighbours is alive and well,” Murchison said.
For hill farmers it was still a wait and see, Feds North Canterbury high county chairman Rob Stokes said.
“We are just getting out of two years of drought. We got a bloody good spring, pastures and stock were growing very well and now it’s all ripped apart,” he said.
While his farm had survived the quake pretty well, others had not been so fortunate.
“For many farmers, houses are bashed, power was still out, fences have gone, stock are boxed up and wandering everywhere, tracks badly damaged – heads will be spinning,” Stokes said.
Stock losses were unknown at this stage.
Looking ahead he said movement of stock to sales would become a massive challenge in respect to transporting logistics and cost.
“It could add the nail in the coffin for sheep farmers whose spirits were just springing back after the drought but are now back down in a screaming heap,” Stokes said.
