The Agriculture Minister says the size and cost of the sector's long-term recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle remains unclear, but paying for it will take everyone involved.
He says 1200 of the 2000 growers and farmers who've asked for help cleaning up have received payments.
But some already know they will be unable to return to full operations for months or years.
The flow on effects are already hitting New Zealanders in the pocket with some produce prices doubling since the cyclone struck.
Damien O'Connor spoke to Māni Dunlop from Field Days in Dargaville.
