Big dry triggers drought declaration in Waikato


Released by Environment Waikato 7 February 2008

The Waikato region has now officially been declared a drought zone, triggering a regionally coordinated response to help the rural community manage the impact of the ongoing dry conditions.

Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley said Waikato had recorded the driest January in more than 100 years. The combination of low rainfall, near record high temperatures, extremely dry soils and falling river levels has prompted what is believed to be the first ever drought declaration in Waikato.

Read the full story from Environment Waikato