'Power crisis' real, say Lake Hawea residents

People living close to Lake Hawea near Wanaka are accusing the Government of sweeping New Zealand's power supply problems under the carpet.

The lake is a major supplier to the Clutha and Roxburgh hydro dams and water levels have fallen to a dangerously low mark.

Errol Carr from the group Guardians of Lake Hawea says the lake has dropped so low, dust storms are forming. He says the lake has nothing more to give but he says Contact Energy is planning to suck more water out.

He estimates Lake Hawea has two days of storage capacity left and he cannot understand why the Government is not being more pro-active.

Mr Carr says it is time the Government acknowledges the power crisis, instead of downplaying it with soft energy saving campaigns.

- NEWSTALK ZB