Hot, dry days ahead? Now's a good time to get sorted!
Summer's shaping up to be a hot one.
If you've been keeping an eye on the long-range forecasts, you'll know this summer could be hotter and drier than usual. El Niño (a weather pattern) is hanging around, which usually means hotter days, less rain, and a bit more pressure on water supplies and fire risk across our patch. It's not a done deal, because the weather is always full of surprises, but it's worth thinking now about what you'd do if things do get dry.
We're not trying to scare anyone. We just reckon it's easier to sort a few things out now, while there's time, than to scramble later when the tanks are low or the paddocks are crispy.
A few simple things to check now
Whether you're in town, out on a lifestyle block, or running a farm, there are some simple things you can tick off now to make life easier if summer gets tough.
Here's where we'd start:
Have a look at your water situation
Water's the big one, and it's precious. If you're on Council supply on the plains, it's a really good idea to store at least 24 hours' worth of water on your property. That gives you a buffer if demand spikes or the water pressure drops.
Now's a good time to:
- Walk around and check your tanks, pumps, and pipes for leaks. Fix any you find, because every drop counts.
- Let us know if you notice anything odd, like a drain that's normally dry suddenly having water, or a large puddle on public land like a park when there hasn't been any rain. These could be signs of a leak in the system.
- Start easing back on your water use a bit, to build good habits before any restrictions kick in.
- If you're farming, have a yarn with your adviser or rural support people about feed budgets and water planning for your stock.
- Think about whether you might need to reduce your stock numbers early if feed gets tight. It's a tough call but better made early than late. Look at extra feed sources and lock those in now if you can.
"We're keeping a really close watch on how much water we've got stored across the district. The thing that helps most is if everyone does their bit. Fix the dripping tap, check your header tank, use a bit less where you can. And if you see what looks like a Council leak anywhere, give us a shout straight away so we can get onto it." – Water Services Manager, Adam Munro
Sort out fire safety around your place
Hot, dry conditions mean the risk of fire goes up. A bit of tidying up now can make a real difference:
- Clear long grass, scrub, and anything that'll burn away from sheds, houses, and fences.
- Store highly flammable fuel well away from your house, vehicles, and hay.
- Make sure there's a good clear space around your buildings and clear wide access for the fire truck to your buildings and water tanks
Know who your local Fire and Emergency NZ contacts are and keep an eye on fire restrictions as summer rolls on.
Get your house or farm ready
It's also worth dusting off your emergency plan, or making one if you haven't already. Make sure everyone in the house or on the farm knows what to do if things go wrong. If you've got older neighbours or anyone who might struggle in the heat, now's a good time to check in and make sure they've got what they need.
We're keeping an eye on things too
We've already started our drought management planning and we're watching water levels right across the district. Our water services, emergency management, and infrastructure teams are working with contractors and regional partners to get ready for whatever summer throws at us, from dry spells to floods and everything in between. It's all part of our usual seasonal preparation, but we're paying extra attention this year.
"El Niño doesn't tell us exactly what's coming, but it's a good nudge to get organised. We're planning for pressure on water and higher fire risk. There are heaps of things households and landowners can do right now to be in a better spot, and we'll be here sharing updates and practical info as the season rolls on." – Brett Otto, Emergency Management Officer
Lower river levels and less available water hit farms harder than most: stock water, feed, budgets, all of it. So if you're in a rural part of the district, a bit of forward planning now really does pay off."
Lower river levels and less available water hit farms harder than most: stock water, feed, budgets, all of it. So if you're in a rural part of the district, a bit of forward planning now really does pay off.
Looking out for each other
One of the things we love about this district is how people look out for one another. If summer does get dry, that community spirit will matter more than ever. If you've moved into the area in the past few years, this could be drier than you've seen before.
Check in on your neighbours, especially anyone who's older, on their own, or might find extreme heat really tough. Make sure your mates on neighbouring farms are doing okay. And if you're struggling yourself, reach out early.
“Summer is a time we all look forward to, but it's important that we don't get caught out if conditions become hot and dry. A little preparation now can make a big difference later, whether that's checking your water supply, getting properties ready for fire risk or simply keeping an eye on neighbours and friends.” says Mayor Toby Adams.
As a district, we've faced challenging conditions before, and we know how important it is to work together. Council is planning ahead and keeping a close watch on things, but being prepared is something we can all play a part in. My message is simple: don't wait until there's a problem before you get organised. Look ahead, make a few preparations and look after one another. That's what being part of the Hauraki community is all about.”
If you're farming or managing rural land and you're worried about the season ahead, please don't wait. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) encourages rural communities to reach out early, before things get really dry. You could talk to a farm adviser, a rural support trust, or MPI's On Farm Support service.
We work alongside Waikato Regional Council and rural support agencies on drought planning, and we're also involved in longer-term work to help our region adapt to a changing climate
We're here if you need us
If you've got questions about your water supply, or you've spotted a leak somewhere on Council land, get in touch:
Phone: 07 862 8609 or Freephone: 0800 734 834 (if you're ringing from inside the district)
Email:info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz
You can also report it online or through the Antenno app.
We'll keep monitoring conditions and sharing updates as summer unfolds. You can follow us on Facebook, sign up to our In the Loop e-newsletter, or download the Antenno app to get local updates sent straight to your phone
