Coordinating the drought response

The Government officially declared Northland as being in the grip of a drought on 20 January 2010.  A Northland Drought Committee has been formed to work with the Government and others to co-ordinate a regional drought response and recovery.

Droughts are classed as small, medium or large-scale depending on their physical, economic and social impacts and the options available to manage risks.

Northland is in a ‘medium’ event and is currently experiencing the type of drought not seen locally for about 30 years.

Northland Drought Committee

Northland Drought Committee members include representatives of local and central government, rural support groups, the agricultural and horticultural industries, animal welfare organisations and the financial sector.  It is chaired by Sherrill Dackers, who is also chair of Rural Support Trust Northland.

The role of the Drought Committee is to provide communication and coordination.  It has several subcommittees who work with the community to address specific drought-related issues.

Subcommittees

The subcommittees that have been set up to facilitate on-ground work are:

Extension/Advice Subcommittee – members aim to keep Northlanders informed about drought developments and provide drought management tips for farmers and horticulturalists.

Financial Subcommittee – members include Northland financial professionals who work to help the rural community rise to the various financial challenges droughts create.

Welfare Subcommittee – members work to coordinate welfare assistance available from a number of agencies.

For more information on the Northland Drought Committee or any of these sub-committees, please contact Helen Moodie on 09 430 0954 or drought@landcare.org.nz