Wairarapa Police are issuing a safety appeal to the local farming community when operating off-road vehicles and machinery after recent severe weather. “We are strongly urging all farm owners, managers, and operators to review their safety vehicle protocols, particularly when navigating sloped surfaces and steep hillsides. 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. In response to these ongoing challenges, the Wairarapa Rural Support Trust is actively scoping avenues to offer community farm safety courses. 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.