Dr Nick Cradock-Henry, Senior Scientist, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, comments:
“The prospect of higher-than-average temperatures and lower rainfall than normal, for parts of the South Island, highlight again, the climate-related challenges for primary industries and rural communities. For example, drought has been a recurring feature of farming in North Canterbury over the last decade, overlapping with both the Kaikoura-Marlborough-Hurunui earthquake (2016) and
Mycoplasma bovis (
M. bovis), a bacterial disease affecting dairy and beef cattle, which resulted in a major biosecurity hazard and response (2017).
“Farms are often set up to cope with one, or even two, ‘difficult years.’ Repeated, or prolonged dry conditions, however, exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, placing undue pressure on household finances, personal relationships, livestock, and other aspects of the production system.
Source:Â Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has banned the use of fireworks in the McKenzie Basin for the summer.
The ban comes into effect at 6pm 24 December and runs through until 31 March 2021.
Section 52 of the Fire and Emergency Act allows Fire and Emergency to restrict activities that may start or cause the spread of fire.
The prohibition order includes Omarama, but not Otematata and covers the rest of the McKenzie Basin to the north.
Acting Principal Rural Fire Officer Don Geddes says the area has already had two major fires at Lakes Pukaki and Åhau this season.
Fireworks ban in MacKenzie Basin - Fire and Emergency NZ voxy.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from voxy.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.