David Carter, Agriculture Minister, says NZ is getting more drought events, pointing to significant climate change

Agriculture Minister David Carter says the increase in significant drought events indicates we’re living in a time of significant climate change.

Mr Carter has visited Northland and declared the region from the Auckland Harbour Bridge northwards, a medium-scale drought zone, which triggers extra government support for the region’s rural support trust.

Mr Carter says he last declared drought in Northland in January and by the end of May most of the farming areas in New Zealand were suffering.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that we’re living in a period of time when we are observing significant climate change. You can argue what’s causing that.”

It’s not just dairy, sheep and beef farmers who are struggling in Northland. Ninety-five percent of the country’s kumara comes from the Dargaville and Ruawai area.

Kumara grower Andre de Bruin says stream, bore and river levels are the main issues affecting growers.

“It’s a matter of growers finding water and carting it up to their farms. Normally your water supplies are a hundred metres off your kumara rows but at the moment, some farmers are driving up to five kilometres down the road to try to find water.”

Mr de Bruin says that stress for growers shouldn’t mean a shortage for consumers and there is plenty of kumara available.

Mr Carter says what has to be acknowledged, is that New Zealand is getting more and more drought events.

– NewstalkZB

Image / Foehn Mackenzie