New Zealand Drought Makes the News in Toronto!

There was an article (blog post?) in The Toronto Star today about the drought that New Zealand is experiencing at the moment.

http://thestar.blogs.com/worlddaily/2013/03/worst-drought-in-new-zealand-in-30-years.html

It's true.  Last year I was blogging about how it was raining everyday for weeks at a time.  I had also described it as torrential downpour rain, and not just the pitter patter type.

This year, there is a stark contrast in the weather.  This is what summer should have felt like.  It has been quite warm and humid in the past couple of months (since maybe December).  We actually had to turn on the ceiling fans for the first time to help circulate the air.  Oh yes, I have not blogged about the lack of central heating / air conditioning in New Zealand.  Ceiling fans.  That is what we have relied on to help cool us down.

It's March now, and it's still very warm.  It's still singlet (tank top) weather.  People still walk around with no shoes...but don't be deceived...this happens in all sorts of weather / seasons - including winter.

- Last year, the weather was kind to the farmers bringing about great crop yields.  This year it's a very different story
- straw was shipped from the South Island to the North Island for the farmers in crisis (http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/8422683/Straw-sent-to-North-Island-farmers-in-crisis)
- dust devils blow across some North Island cities like Hamilton, which can be seen from the mall
(http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8358294/Dust-devils-blow-in-as-big-dry-continues)
- dust devil hits the Pasifika Festival in Auckland while we're there...but we didn't see it (video)