Hawke’s Bay Welcomes Drought Declaration
Media Release
6 March
2013
Hawke’s Bay Welcomes Drought
Declaration
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chairman Fenton Wilson has welcomed the declaration of a drought in Hawke’s Bay by Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy.
“It’s pleasing to see the bold and expedient response from the Minister which offers support to farmers in the Hawke’s Bay region,” says Chairman Wilson.
“The issue is across the North Island and no rain in prospect for the next three weeks is a prospect we need to prepare for. However the sound of solid rain on the roof will be very welcome in Hawke’s Bay when it comes.”
As well as Hawke’s Bay the declaration covers the Auckland Council area south of the Harbour Bridge, and all of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas including Coromandel and Taupo.
The declaration of the medium-scale event means that extra Government funding will now be available to Rural Support Trusts. The East Coast Rural Support Trust can be contacted on 0800 787 254.
The
declaration was sought yesterday at a meeting at Hawke’s
Bay Regional Council in Napier which was attended by
representatives from a wide range of organisations including
the regional council, district councils, rural support
trust, Ministry for Primary Industries, Dairy NZ, Federated
Farmers, Beef+Lamb and Ministry of Social Development.
Information was shared and this was provided to the Minister
by MPI officials. An active drought committee is being
formed for Hawke’s Bay.