Drought zone status sought

The Wanganui-Ruapehu region may be declared a drought

region next week.

Lyn Neeson, co-ordinator and chair for the Ruapehu-Wanganui Rural

Support Trust, said they were seeking a drought declaration

from the Ministry for Primary Industries.

"The river levels are the lowest they've been in 35 years. Some

people are telling me they have creeks and dams which never go

dry but now they have.

"We think we have all the information MPI will need to declare a drought and

we have little option left. We hope to piggy-back with Manawatu-

Rangitikei's application which is to go through next week."