Drought in the North Island
It’s great to be home in the Otaki electorate again after a very successful trip to Latin America with the Prime Minister.
As I mentioned last week, the trip has opened doors to some exciting new markets. New Zealand has a great reputation in this part of the world and there is a real desire to build closer links and increase trade.
Flying down from Auckland on the way home I spent most of the trip looking out the window and seeing just how dry the landscape is. This is why last week I declared an official drought throughout the North Island.
This is recognition that farmers and growers are really doing it tough. We are now well beyond what is a dry summer and into an extreme climatic event.
It’s great that rain has fallen this week which will lift spirits and get the grass growing again. A decent follow-up rain will make all the difference before we enter the cooler winter months.
Many rural people can be reluctant to ask for help, but it is important for them to know that support is available. This is a difficult time for rural families and they need to know that the Government and all New Zealanders are behind them.
Extra funding is now available to organisations like the Rural Support Trusts to provide guidance and support, and in extreme cases there will also be Rural Assistance Payments (RAPs) available to those in severe hardship.
We’ve seen the effects in our own region with pressure on water supply. Kapiti Coast District Council is now using bore water to supplement normal supply, and there is a total fire ban in Horowhenua. There are also water restrictions in place in the Wellington region.