Under clauses 18.2 and 18.6 of the Special Needs Grants Programme, as published in the New Zealand Gazette, 28 January 1999, No. 8, page 202, and established and approved on 18 December 1998 under section 124(1)(d) of the Social Security Act 1964 (“programme”), I give my approval for Part 6 of the programme to apply as follows:

Rural Assistance – Farmers

1. Farmers in the affected areas whose primary industries are directly affected by drought are eligible to be considered for financial assistance under Part 6 of the programme.
2. In relation to such farmers, Part 6 of the programme applies for the period beginning on the time the Minister signs this approval and ending with the close of 7 October 2017, unless further extended by the Minister.
3. In this approval, affected areas means:
   1. The territories of the following local authorities:
      1. Far North District Council;
      2. Whangarei District Council; and
      3. Kaipara District Council.
   2. The local board areas of the following local boards (as those terms are defined in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009) of the Auckland Council:
      1. Rodney Local Board;
      2. Waitakere Ranges Local Board;
      3. Upper Harbour Local Board;
      4. Devonport-Takapuna Local Board;
      5. Hibiscus and Bays Local Board;
      6. Kaipatiki Local Board;
      7. Great Barrier Local Board; and
      8. Waiheke Local Board.

Dated at Wellington this 8th day of February 2017.

Hon ANNE TOLLEY, Minister for Social Development.