Life is finally getting back to normal for Kaikōura dairy farmer Simon Mackle after last month's 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
The town, and wider region, was cut off when the quake brought down huge landslides on State Highway 1.
For a second day, Fonterra trucks have been able to access the alternative inland route to collect milk from 22 farmers in the region.
Like others in the district, Mr Mackle has been having to dump his milk in the sewage pond then spray it onto his paddocks, which can harm the grass if it is not correctly diluted.
"On the leaf, the fats may stop the plant from photosynthesizing, and it dies pretty quick because it can't drag in light.
"There's a couple of paddocks that we will have to re-grass and, where the dilution rate has been better, the cows will just have to chew through it," he said.
Fonterra has guaranteed to pay the farmers for the milk lost but Mr Mackle said he did not want to rely on that, and wanted to be able to pay his own way.
He remained positive and said his family were more prepared for the chance of having to go through another quake.
"You've just got to enjoy the good things, and every day you just have to look for the positive - like yesterday was a phenomenally good day, it was great."
