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Last month, 273.2mm of rain pelted Warkworth, the highest since records going back to 1985. The previous high was 226mm in February 2004.
The downpour spelled trouble for local businesses.
Kaipara Hills farmer Stephen Dill says he really noticed the increase in rainfall.
“We try and make a lot of our fences and tracks at this time of year. We are around a month behind schedule because we can’t use the machinery in these conditions,” he says.
He says his sheep face an increased risk of maggot infestation, known as fly strike.
“We prevent fly strike with a dip we put on the lambs, but lots of rain can wash it off.”
Wet weather has also meant a difficult start to the year for wine growers in Mahurangi. Matakana
Winegrowers president Richard Robson says until three months ago the industry was progressing well, but has been hit hard by the rain and humidity, which causes fungus to grow on grapes.
“Some growers would have lost their entire crop, and I’ve probably lost around half,” he says
He says more than 20mm of rain in a day can cause mould on the grapes, while over 40mm can cause them to swell and split.
“In 11 years on the job in New Zealand it would be the most humid summer I’ve seen.”
Meanwhile, Omaha Beach Golf Club general manager Mike Reid says the green has been growing at twice the normal rate. “It’s been a lot of extra work for our greenkeeper, Corey Wilcox, this year.
Revenue is also down as a result of a drop in rounds played due to the poor weather,” Mike says.
