Big dry triggers drought declaration in Waikato

The Waikato region has now officially been declared a drought zone, triggering a regionally coordinated response to help the rural community manage the impact of the ongoing dry conditions.

Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley said Waikato had recorded the driest January in more than 100 years. The combination of low rainfall, near record high temperatures, extremely dry soils and falling river levels has prompted what is believed to be the first ever drought declaration in Waikato.

Representatives of Dairy NZ, Environment Waikato, Federated Farmers, Meat and Wool, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), and the Rural Support Trust have set up the drought response group.

The group’s role is to ensure coordination of information and action and to represent the Waikato region at national level.

“We know the dry conditions are starting to take their toll on many farms and rural businesses across our region,” Mr Buckley said.

“People can’t count on the rain coming anytime soon and with drought conditions predicted to continue to the end of autumn, we need to coordinate our efforts to minimise any environmental, economic and social problems that might arise from the big dry.”

He said that even if rain was to fall it was unlikely it would put enough moisture into the soil to boost pasture growth to normal levels

The Rural Support Trust - set up to help rural communities cope in difficult times, particularly those caused by adverse weather events - will act as a one-stop shop for rural people wanting information and advice.

Chairman Neil Bateup urged farmers to seek technical and professional advice at the earliest opportunity.

“There is a generation of farmers and rural advisors who have never been through a drought before and they will need information and advice,” he said. 

“Stock welfare is a critical issue for many farmers and if they haven’t already done so, now is the time to review farm management plans, stock water supplies, the availability of feed and plans for managing their farms post-drought. 

“Farmers are also encouraged to call the trust before they get into trouble to find out about the social and financial assistance that is available.”

Already the trust was concerned about shortages of supplementary stockfeed and water carriers’ ability to meet the growing demand for water, for both stock and household use.

Hamilton-based MAF North Island policy manager Phil Journeaux said agriculture officials had commissioned a survey to gauge the amount of supplementary feed available for livestock and were reviewing farm monitoring data to assess the economic impact of the drought on areas worst affected.

Mr Journeaux is coordinating MAF’s national drought response. A ‘national drought meeting’ of government officials and sector leaders is scheduled to take place on February 12.

Meanwhile, Environment Waikato continues to closely monitor rainfall and river levels in the region. It gathers data from about 40 rainfall monitoring stations and 60 river level monitoring stations around the region. Information from about 35 private rainfall monitoring stations also feeds into its databases.

Chairman Peter Buckley said that while the council was responsible for managing water takes from the region’s rivers and streams, it was the responsibility of district councils to manage domestic and municipal water shortages.

“The councils are taking all practicable steps to conserve water but if necessary we might need to consider restricting water takes from other users,” he said.

“At the moment we’re working in an advisory capacity and reminding people that every drop of water counts.”
Information on river and groundwater levels, soil moisture and links to weather and climate data will be available on the Environment Waikato website www.ew.govt.nz