By ANNE-MARIE EMERSON
PATEA has had just one-third its average rainfall this summer, while Hawera has had half.
It's statistics like these that has seen South Taranaki declared a drought zone.
Taranaki Regional Council chairman David MacLeod on Tuesday confirmed coastal Taranaki south of Okato through to Waitotara, including southern and eastern Stratford, to be in drought.
The region has experienced a prolonged dry spell, with no significant rain since November and none forecast till May. The last rain - of any kind - to fall was on March 9, when Hawera had a measly 5mm.
Sprinkler and fire restrictions were introduced by the South Taranaki District in mid-November.
There is now a total sprinkler and irrigation ban, and a total fire ban, in place.
The council-s engineering manager, Neil McCann, said these bans would remain in place for "at least a few weeks yet".
Meanwhile, Whanganui, along with the rest of the Horizons Regional Council area, was confirmed to be in drought last month. Waikato, Wairarapa, East Coast and North Canterbury are also experiencing drought.
Horizons chief executive Michael McCartney said it was the worst dry spell the region had suffered through since 1975.
He said that while there were variations within the region, this summer was unusual in that the dry was so widespread.
"Most summers we might have perhaps Tararua experiencing a dry spell, while Manawatu has plenty of rain.
"But this summer everywhere seems to be affected, to a variable extent."
Mr McCartney said Minister of Agriculture, Jim Anderton, visited the region last week to offer his support for drought-stricken farmers.
Drought declared in South Taranaki
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