MetSoc news email (will be in the March News letter)- news clippings  of Feb 2008

Price of a long dry summer

Rodney Times | Thursday, 31 January 2008

UNDER THE AWNING: Bobbie and Clive Shatwell wait out the noon sun at the Orewa Beach Holiday Park before hitting the beach.

A water shortage and a high fire risk are downsides looming for Rodney residents. With thousands of holidaymakers and residents relying on a barbecue or hangi for food, the fire service urges residents to be extremely careful with LPG or wood-fuelled cooking fires.

"Think twice before lighting a fire," says Rodney volunteer fire service support officer Don McErlich. "If the weather keeps going the way it is – sunny with no rain – we could be looking at a total fire ban sooner rather than later," says Rodney principal rural fire officer Scott Marchant.

The dry spell is also causing serious problems for dairy farmers because it has arrived earlier than in previous years.

"With the high milk payout influencing stock retention decisions on-farm, as well as the high cost of supplements, it is important farmers take steps to minimise the impact of the dry period to protect next season’s production and to achieve maximum profitability from the current season," says DairyNZ field extension manager Dave Miller. "If you are irrigating, monitor soil moisture levels regularly. ‘Consider signing up to NIWA’s Climate Explorer – http://www.niwa.cri.nz/ – to help with your planning. And have a contingency plan for when water restrictions are applied."

Here’s some tips to save water during the shortage:

If you have covered the bases and repaired leaks, used a dry wash agent on the car and filled the garden with mulch, here are a few other things you can do to save water.

• Do not overwater plants.
• Avoid watering the garden during the heat of the day.
• Cover your pool to reduce evaporation.
• Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth.
• Use a plug when washing your hands, rinsing dishes or vegetables. n Set the washing machine to run short washes.
• Install low-flow shower heads.
• Install a flush saver device in your toilet cistern.

 

 

Crisis meeting called to tackle drought danger

NZ Herald-Saturday February 02, 2008 By Edward Gay 

Jim Salinger

The Government announced yesterday that it is calling a "national drought meeting" in Wellington on February 12 to look at problems caused by the sustained dry weather across most of the country.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said areas of high concern were in the upper Clutha, Lindis, the Mackenzie Basin, small pockets in central Otago, pockets in north Canterbury and Wairarapa.

She said MAF officials were following the situation very carefully and had commissioned more financial reports in the worst affected areas.

Much of the country is in the grip of drought, with garden watering restrictions in place, farmers fearing the worst and Niwa predicting dry conditions to continue into April.

Niwa climate scientist Dr Jim Salinger said large areas of the North Island, from Auckland to the Wairarapa, have "extreme soil moisture deficits", and parts of the South Island, from Marlborough to southern Canterbury, are the same.

In Hamilton a full ban on garden watering is in place for the first time in 20 years, with Waikato recording its driest January in more than 100 years.

Record water consumption forced the Hamilton City Council to put the ban in place.

"In Southland, they've formed a drought committee. That's unheard of," Dr Salinger said.

He said the warm, dry conditions are here to stay.

"We really need a good soaking over several days," Dr Salinger said.

January has been a dry month, and many centres in the North Island recorded rain levels at 25 per cent or less than the monthly average.

Auckland recorded 15mm compared to the average fall for January of 58mm. The situation was similar in Hamilton, Tauranga, Whakatane, Rotorua and Napier.

The dry spell has forced councils across the country to introduce water restrictions.

A total ban on hoses and sprinklers is in place in Thames, as the local district council reports low flow rates in the town's primary water source, the Mangerehu Stream. Bans on sprinklers and hoses are also in place in the towns of Pauanui, Coromandel and Tairua.

Restrictions are also in place in south Taranaki, where all forms of irrigation are banned. The council has asked residents to report breaches of the ban and leaks.

Tasman gardeners are feeling the pinch as watering is allowed every second day. The council will meet next week to decide whether further restrictions will be put in place.

In Central Otago, a sprinkler ban in Cromwell and Bannockburn has been lifted, but residents are being encouraged to save water.

A restriction on irrigation is still in place with residents allowed to water every second day, but Central Otago District Council utilities engineer Robert Lei said there has been rain in the region and more was forecast for yesterday.

He said there have been occasional reports of people wasting water or watering outside the designated time, but "the police aren't cruising around".

Mr Lei said the council sends letters to people after a complaint is received and has not had to follow up with secondary warnings so far.

 

Heatwave sees red-hot retail

NZ Herald -Sunday February 03, 2008 By Rebecca Milne

The summer heat is adding up to profits for retailers. Photo / Jason Dorday

Swimwear stores are racking up record sales as the summer heatwave shows no sign of stopping.

Sunshine hours were more than 50 per cent higher than normal in Southland and Otago and at least 30 per cent higher than normal in inland parts of the South Island.

Mean temperatures were at least half a degree above average in the east of the North Island, and between one and two degrees above average in the rest of New Zealand.

The month's hottest temperature was a blistering 34.8C, recorded on different days at Timaru Airport and Waione, near Martinborough. But the soaring temperatures have meant extremely low rainfall in northern areas from Auckland south and the coastal northeast of the South Island. Water restrictions have been reported in Hamilton, Thames, parts of the Coromandel and south Taranaki.

The Government has called a meeting on February 12 to discuss the impact of the drought.

The summer is set to sizzle on into March, according to MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt.

He said air and sea temperatures were likely to stay well above normal as a La Nina weather pattern brought larger highs later into summer.

 

 

Sun to shine nationwide on Waitangi Day

By ERIN PARKE - Stuff.co.nz | Monday, 04 February 2008

KEVIN STENT/Sunday Star Times

SUNSHINEY DAY: Enjoy the fine weather while it lasts on Waitangi Day - it may be gone by the weekend.

The nation will be blessed with fine weather this Waitangi Day, according to Metservice forecasts.

Metservice spokesman Bob McDavitt says wet areas around the nation are expected to clear up in time for Wednesday’s public holiday.

However, some showers and strong winds may persist in the northeast.

The warm spell may be short-lived, with a weekend trough forecast to bring rain to central parts of the country.

"For most of us, Wednesday is looking to be a much better day for a picnic than Saturday," said McDavitt.

 

 

 

 

Farmers say 'I pray for rain once a week'

05.02.2008  By SIMON WOOD Wanganui Chronicle

TONY ROGERS is feeling the heat. His farm looks like a desert, sunburnt grass stretching as far as the eye can see.

It's the worst drought he can remember since the early '70s, and there's no end in sight.  "We probably need two weeks of solid rain," he said

-abridged

 

Waikato farming drought 'worst since 78'

Tuesday February 05, 2008 By Edward Gay NZ Herald

The usual lush green hills of the Waikato are turning brown as farmers head into their eighth dry week.

Waikato Federated Farmers president Stuart Wadey says the earth is like concrete and if rain comes in one dollop it won't soak in. Mr Wadey said a good 75mms is needed over a week to really sink in and rejuvenate pasture.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton will meet farming sector leaders next Tuesday to discuss the effect of continued dry weather.

Mr Anderton said if the dry weather persisted, the situation would become very serious in some areas.

Industry leaders would speak about the situation in their areas, including what current and planned initiatives they have in place, he said. "This will be an opportunity to share ideas about the best way to handle the situation, and to see if there needs to be a national coordination of resources and initiatives," Mr Anderton said.

Federated Farmers president Charlie Pedersen said it will allow farmers to register feed requirements and to list the type and price of surplus feed. "Most farmers will have been through similar weather cycles before and will be well prepared," Mr Pedersen said. He said the MetService had been predicting the weather accurately.  "If their long-term forecast remains correct we won't see sustained rain in dry areas until April, so farmers need to plan for this," Mr Pedersen said.

 

Farmers forced to kill stock as dry drags on

05.02.2008   - By CHERIE TAYLOR Daily Post

 

Atiamuri farm manager Dana Richards, with sheep dog Peggy, checks on the condition of paddocks as she hopes for rain.

In January, only 40mm of rainfall was recorded in Rotorua - the lowest rainfall since January 2001 when 27mm was recorded. About 96mm is the normal for January.
According to MetService weather forecaster Oliver Druce the next six days are looking to remain warm and dry. "Rotorua can expect days and days of fine weather for the next week or so." he said.
Farmers say they are at desperation point.

 

Drought stricken farmers call for help
TV3 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:03p.m.

Fonterra says the country's current dry conditions could cost farmers as much as $500,000,000 in lost production.

Farmers say it will take them years to recover and are calling for tax relief and welfare support.

The Waikato region is being especially hard hit.

3 News went to Tahuna near Huntly which has just become an official drought zone for the first time ever.

It's the driest January Waikato has seen for a hundred years. ,

Fonterra says the dry spell has already cost farmers sixty million in milk payout - that means their record payout is down the drain. 

 

Feeling the heat

The Press | Friday, 08 February 2008 TIM CRONSHAW.

Dean Kozanic

Parched: sheep graze the dry earth on a farm in Waikari.

It's hot in North Canterbury. Drying winds and out-of-tune market conditions have taken their toll on dry land farmers, reports TIM CRONSHAW.

The showers that finally fell this week in North Canterbury have, like a broken promise, delivered little to parched soils.

Farmers are stoic people, not ones to bend easily. Their farming systems are geared to the dry and the sheep are of hardy breeding. They are also no strangers to bad droughts. Ask any farmer and they will raise their hand and bend one finger after another, reeling off the worst droughts: 1958, 1964, the early 1970s, the "big drought" of 1988 to 1989 and 1998 to 1999.

This year looks set to be added to the list. 

Outside factors have played a hand in exasperating farmers.

A dry autumn that made it difficult to establish good winter feed crops, followed by a difficult winter, did not help their cause.

A supplementary feed shortage has resulted, and sheep farmers are unable to match the prices that dairy farmers, with their thicker wallets, are prepared to pay for limited supplies.

Recognising that the situation is becoming critical, Federated Farmers has introduced a national drought hotline, 0800 335-663, for stressed farmers and the troops are mobilising elsewhere to lend their support.

The Government has also stepped in, with Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton talking with farming leaders on Tuesday about the toll the drought is having on farming, and later visiting hotspots.

Doug Archbold used to be a dry hill-country farmer at Lowry Hills in Cheviot's Leamington Valley and knows about the dry.

As chairman of the Canterbury Rural Support Trust, he wants farmers to know there is back-up if they feel boxed in a corner.

"The implications for the economy are quite bloody serious, there is no doubt about that."

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East Coast swell warning for North Island today

TV3 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:28a.m.

Surf Life Saving warn of heavy swell on the East Coast today

 

Surf Life Saving are warning the public to take care on the East Coast today. The call comes after a heavy swell warning from MetService yesterday.  The warning applies along the lower east coast of the North Island and has been brought on by the remnants of Cyclone Gene.

 

Large waves threaten homes in Hastings

TV3 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 06:55p.m.

Emergency authorities in Hastings are on high alert, as wells of up to six metres pound the coast and threaten beach front homes.

The aftermath of tropical cyclone Gene has generated large waves from Gisborne to the Wairarapa, extending down to the Kaikoura coast.

Relentless swells threatened homes and battered concrete retaining walls.

While it had some ducking for cover, further along the beach surfers took to the water in their droves.

The waves proved to be a spectacle in Gisborne as well, with one local saying he had not seen anything like that since the 1970s.

Local authorities are closely watching the tides, but the big waves are expected to gradually dissipate with the Metservice predicting a shift to around two metres by tomorrow.

 

Govt calls drought summit with agricultural leaders

Tue, 12 Feb 2008  Scoop.co.nz/TV3

 

The Government has called farming and rural sector leaders to the Beehive for a drought summit this afternoon.
Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton has asked them to bring assessments of their areas, and details of their plans to help farmers affected by the hot, dry weather.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday the summit would be about sharing information and forming "a collective understanding" of the issues.
Mr Anderton said organisations invited to send representatives included: DairyNZ, Meat and Wool New Zealand, Fonterra, Federated Farmers, the banking sector, the Meat Industry Association, Horticulture New Zealand, the Veterinary Association, Horticulture New Zealand, rural Women, the Pork Industry Board, the Nursery and Garden Association and NIWA.

NZ wine industry upbeat about global warming

By Adrian Bathgate WELLINGTON, Feb 14 (Reuters) –

Global warming, which is threatening the viability of the drought-stricken wine industry in Australia, could be a boon for neighbouring New Zealand which has been enjoying a growing reputation for its quality wines.

New Zealand's subtle flavoured wines, mostly whites such as Sauvignon Blanc but also reds such as Pinot Noir, are appearing on the tables of fine restaurants from London to Los Angeles and are winning medals at prestigious international wine shows. Yet despite success at producing quality wines, New Zealand has long had trouble producing wines in significant export quantities due to its weather. New Zealand is one of the world's most southern countries and frosts and biting winds from Antarctica make it hard to cultivate wine-worthy grapes.

But that may change.

Higher temperatures due to global warming are expected to make cold areas of New Zealand more temperate and better suited to grape cultivation. So it's no surprise that New Zealand wine-growers are upbeat about a future that includes climate change.

"The big picture for New Zealand wine is very, very good," said Philip Gregan, chief executive of industry body New Zealand Winegrowers.

Meanwhile, Australia, New Zealand's biggest competitor in the international wine export market, is facing cuts in production and a drop in quality of its internationally renowned wines due to global warming which has helped bring the country's worst drought in a century and may make some areas too hot and dry for grape cultivation.

-abridged- (Editing by Megan Goldin)

 

Big dry starts to take heavy toll

NZ Herald - Monday February 11, 2008 By Owen Hembry 

The continued hot weather is biting into valuable dairy production and forcing some sheep farmers to shoot animals.

Meat & Wool chairman Mike Petersen said farmers were not panicking but the situation was critical, with some people resorting to desperate measures.

"I understand in North Canterbury, for example, some people are shooting sheep because they can't get them killed [and processed]."

Conditions on the west coast of the North Island were as dry as they had been in 25 years, Petersen said.

"If we go for another four weeks - and I saw the Niwa report that said no rain till really the end of April - then that's going to create some real problems nationwide."

Drought in Australia and reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in Europe had pushed an over-supply of sheep into the market during the last two years, while parts of the east coast of the North Island had not got out of a drought from last year.

"The New Zealand dollar continues to be a major hindrance for New Zealand," he says. "It took $14 a lamb off last season's lamb crop."

However, it would be unlikely to see sheep farmers walk off the land, as happened during the 1980s, because farm equity remained solid with the option of converting to dairy functions.

Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Peter Beaven said he would like the hot weather to continue for as long as possible.

"Then we don't lose any harvest time," Beaven said. "It's the old situation, it's good for us and bad for pastoral guys."

The apple harvest takes place between February and May.

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Deluge hits Wellington

23mm of rain falls over Lower Hutt in one hour

Stuff.co.nz | Monday, 11 February 2008

Pete Marshall

LIGHT SHOW: Stuff reader Pete Marshall took this shot from his Roseneath home, looking out towards Petone.  Pete says it was a five minute exposure at 85mm focal length at 4.45am.

Power was cut to parts of the Kapiti Coast in a spectacular electrical storm which also woke Wellingtonians early this morning.

The MetService said 23 millimetres of rain fell in Lower Hutt between 4am and 5am. MetService duty forecaster George Nepe told Radio New Zealand that Wellingtonians could expect more showers and thunderstorms until mid morning.

The bad weather was being caused by warm surface air combined with a cold front.

Police said the storm led to the outage of some traffic lights along State Highway 2 around Melling Link. There was flooding along SH2 around Korokoro and on roads in the Petone area.

Motorists were urged to exercise caution in the area.

 

Waterspout forms off the Kapiti Coast

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 TVNZ

Waterspout in the Kapiti area

A massive waterspout was seen just off the shore at Raumati South, on the Kapiti Coast north of Wellington, tonight.

MetService severe weather forecaster Mark Pascoe told NZPA the twister over the water was seen by locals about 7.15pm.

Eye witness John Pagani told Radio New Zealand he saw the spout hit the beach near Queen Elizabeth Park.

"You could see an arc of wind reaching up from the sea to the clouds - maybe a couple of thousand feet. Where it touched the sea there was a ghostly substantial accumulation of water and spray that was being picked up by the wind and sucked up into this vortex of wind."

Mr Pascoe said the spout was caused by an unstable weather pattern that was covering much of the bottom half of the North Island at the moment. "There's a lot of thunderstorms around."

A severe thunderstorm watch in the area was expected to last until about 4am tomorrow.

Between 15mm to 35mm per hour of rain was expected to fall, Mr Pascoe said. "There could be more of these twisters through the night, but they're impossible to pin down."

There had been no reports of damage or injures.

 

Three dead after drought-breaking storm

By LOIS WATSON - Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 17 February 2008

Three people, including a two-year-old child, are dead after a violent storm swept the South Island yesterday.

In Dunedin a middle-aged man was swept to his death in a rain-swollen creek while in Canterbury a 30-year-old woman and the child were killed when their car collided with another in slippery conditions near Kirwee.

The two occupants of the other vehicle were also injured. One was flown to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter in a serious condition while the other was transported by ambulance.

Surface flooding was affecting many roads in Canterbury and high winds were also battering parts of the mainland. But there was good news with the bad the torrential rain broke the region's drought.

In Lyttelton Harbour winds gusting up to 55 knots turned the sea into a whirlpool, tossing boats up and down like corks. At the marina a 12-tonne boat broke away from its bow line and crashed into another, sinking it. Another boat was smashed on to the rocks.

Naval Point Club secretary/manager Ken Camp likened conditions yesterday to those in October 2000 when a storm nearly destroyed the partially-built marina.

"It's getting close to that .... that storm lasted all night and this one has only been going a few hours but it's pretty rough out there."

A severe weather warning for Banks Peninsula and the Otago Coast was issued yesterday as the MetService forecast gale force winds and heavy rain. Surface flooding caused problems in many parts of Christchurch and forced play to be abandoned at the PGA Golf Championship at Clearwater for the second day in a row. About 50mm of rain fell yesterday more rain in Christchurch in 24 hours than had fallen in months.

By late yesterday conditions across the South Island had eased but the storm's path of destruction remained evident through damaged trees and powerlines.

In Dunedin, police launched a large search and rescue operation after Trevor Norman Mason, 47, of Taieri Mouth, was swept away in the Silverstream near Mosgiel about 7.30am. His body was found about 700m downstream around 11am.

Sergeant Dave Scott said Mason, an experienced tramper, was with three others when he lost his footing during a linked-arm river crossing. His companions raised the alarm when they managed to get to an area with cellphone coverage.

Blue Skies weather forecaster Tony Trewinnard said the drought, in Canterbury at least, was over. Many other parts of New Zealand had also received a good soaking and soil moisture levels were improving.

Although the wet spell was likely to cause some problems for cereal crops, it was a welcome sight for most farmers. "Even if it stays dry for another couple of weeks this rain will allow good grass growing over that period."

 

Winemakers expect bumper year

Wednesday February 20, 2008 By Keith Perry NZ Herald

Chris Ward, vineyard manager at Waiheke Island's Stonyridge, says this could be the best year they have ever seen. Photo / Greg Bowker

While New Zealand's dairy farmers are praying for rain, winemakers are expecting a bumper, high-quality harvest this year thanks to the prolonged dry weather putting the industry on track for record export earnings.

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Severe weather cuts power, floods roads

Saturday February 23, 2008  NZ Herald

This boat was swept up from the beach at McLeod Bay, Whangarei. Photo / Jora Hill

Heavy rain and winds in Northland have cut power to around 800 homes and rising flood waters have made some roads impassable in the region.

Lines company Vector said electricity problems were at their worst at Te Hana, north of Wellsford, where 500 homes had been blacked out.

The MetService this morning issued a severe weather warning advising people to look out for rapidly rising waterways as heavy falls spread to Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula.

Police from the township of Kaeo this afternoon said Dip Road and Hospital Road were reported to be under a metre of water, while SH10 at Whangaroa Road is expected to also become impassable.

Maston Road in Paihia had been washed away and the road was closed. Detours were in place.

 

 

Storm assaults northern New Zealand

Feb 23, 2008 TVNZ  

Authorities are warning people to take extra care as wild weather delivers hazardous conditions to the top of the North Island.
Strong winds and torrential rain were still battering some areas on Saturday night, causing flooding and knocking out power.

Northland was the worst affected area but Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula were also getting hammered.

Rising flood water has made travel difficult in the region and police warned local residents to avoid travel in the affected areas.

Low lying and tidal, there has been serious flooding in Kaeo in the Far North with the town turning into a giant swimming pool and some roads impassable under a metre of water.

Events Cancelled

One casualty of the weather was the Starlight Symphony in Auckland, which was expected to attract up to 200,000 people.

Organisers have postponed it until Sunday night, weather permitting.

Storm warnings also forced the cancellation of yachting events.

The Two-Handed Round North Island Race was postponed until Sunday giving some of the competitors more time to prepare.

Bad conditions have also forced the delay of the annual 24 hour yacht race on Pupuke.

Warnings are in place for those driving over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and the high winds have put paid to preparation for Sunday's Weetbix Kiwikids Triathlon and not to mention the Lantern Festival.

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Rain a blessing and a curse

Rodney Times | Tuesday, 26 February 2008

CAROLYN HOWDEN

SINGING IN THE RAIN: Stormy weather did not deter these party goers at the Warkworth Longest Dinner on Saturday night. The venue was shifted from the Warkworth wharf to the comfort of the New World carpark.

Strong north-easterly winds, up to 110kmh on Tiritiri Matangi and up to 90kmh over much of Rodney, lashed the region on Friday and Saturday, while rain persisted all day Saturday.

Warkworth’s Longest Dinner was moved from the riverside to the shelter of a parking building where about 600 people, many dressed to a nautical theme, helped raise $18,000 for the Kawau Coastguard and the Jane Gifford scow restoration project.

The MetService says 39mm of rain was recorded at Whangaparaoa from Friday to Monday. –abridged-

 

Farmer: 'We need water - lots of it'

Thursday February 28, 2008 By James Ihaka  NZ Herald

Waikato farmer Grant Vercoe says these are the worst conditions he has seen. Photo / Sarah Ivey

In his 12 years farming his Waikato sheep and beef station, Grant Vercoe can't remember a summer as hot as this one - nor one which has caused him so much grief.

"We've been dry in the past but these are the worst conditions I have seen by far, it's been pretty bloody tough," he said.

Speaking to the Herald at his parched 400ha Tauhei farm, about 30km west of Hamilton, Mr Vercoe said there was only one thing he needed from Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton, who was about to arrive in a chopper to talk to a handful of affected farmers in the area.

"We need water - lots of it," he said.

Mr Vercoe's Parahiwi farms have not seen any decent rainfall since Christmas and sporadic sprinklings in the region had made things even more frustrating.

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New Kapiti homes must all have water tanks

By KAY BLUNDELL - The Dominion Post | Friday, 29 February 2008

Radical water-saving measures have been introduced on the Kapiti Coast as drought conditions again kick in.

All new houses built on the coast must either have a 10,000-litre water tank or a 4500-litre tank and greywater system for garden irrigation.

The move by Kapiti Coast District Council should mean that by 2050 more than 40 per cent of homes in the district will have tanks or greywater systems, with potential savings of more than a third of the present town water consumption, water use coordinator Ben Thompson said.

The change will mean no outdoor taps will be connected to the town supply and rainwater will be used to supply toilets, the laundry and outdoors. If tank water levels fall below 1000 litres, there will be provision for a limited supply of 600 litres of town water a day to top up rainwater tanks.

Greywater from the laundry and bathroom would be used for garden irrigation.

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