Wairarapa applies to be declared drought zone

A third region has applied to be declared a drought zone and for government relief.

Wairarapa farmers lodged an application with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, with an announcement expected next week.

Hawke's Bay was declared a medium-level drought region a week ago, a week after the Gisborne/Wairoa region.

Regions which have suffered back-to-back droughts for three years are eligible for the aid package, which includes tax assistance measures, funding for farm management advice and funding for Rural Support Trusts to provide help.

Wairarapa Federated Farmers president Anders Crofoot told The Dominion Post the region had hoped rainfall during February would stave off a drought, but weather had since been unseasonably hot and windy.

Farmers were being forced to sell off stock or use extra feed due to a lack of grass, he said.

An average of 19 millimetres of rain - less than a quarter of normal rainfall - fell in the Wairarapa's driest areas last month.

- NZPA