Big dry in Far North threatens bowling clubs' future

Kyte Wikaira and Heta Brass enjoy a roll-up at a parched Kaitaia Bowling Club, where the sprinklers have been turned off since Monday. Photo / Peter Jackson

This summer's big dry coupled with regionwide water restrictions could spell the end of some bowling clubs, Bowls Far North president Dion Davis says.

As of Monday the use of sprinklers and automated irrigation systems connected to council water supplies has been banned across the Far North.

The ban comes after parts of the Far North, such as Kerikeri, experienced their driest December on record. Sunday evening's shower, the first meaningful rain since mid-November, was not enough to ease the looming drought.

The dry conditions and sprinkler ban have alarmed sports and bowling clubs across the district with some fearing their greens will die.

Mr Davis, who is also president of the Kaikohe Bowling Club, said it was "a huge concern".

Following previous droughts some clubs had installed tanks or bores with help from the Far North District Council, but other clubs "haven't got there yet".

Bowling greens used a specific type of grass which had a short growing season and could cost thousands of dollars to replace. The expense could be enough to close down some small clubs with limited budgets.

"So there's a lot riding on it," Mr Davis said.

Clubs with the greatest concerns included Kaitaia Combined and Hokianga. The Hokianga club, in Rawene, had only just rebuilt its green, he said.

The Far North District Council held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss granting exemptions to the sprinkler ban.

The outcome was not known at edition time but it is likely the council will allow exemptions on a case-by-case basis, with strict conditions on the amount of water used and the time of day.