Asia-Pacific News
New Zealand farmers offer holidays to drought-hit Australians
By DPA
Feb 8, 2007, 0:51 GMT

Wellington - New Zealand farmers are offering free holidays to their counterparts in Australia, who are dealing with the worst drought on record, it was announced Thursday.

The New Zealanders are offering use of their holiday homes to Australian ranchers and growers who could not afford a vacation in the current southern hemisphere summer, while Jetstar budget airline is providing 100 free return tickets across the Tasman Sea separating both countries.

'Some of the stories we have heard from across the Tasman are heart wrenching, and in the true Anzac spirit, we stand ready to help,' said Charlie Pedersen, president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

ANZAC, the acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in the 1914-18 war, is recognized as signifying friendship between the two countries and their peoples.

'We can't give Aussie farmers what they really need - rain - but we can help some take a break from the enormous stress,' Pedersen said. 'New Zealand farmers are well aware of the effects of drought, so we understand what Australian farmers are going through.'