Federated Farmers says the cost of the nationwide drought between spring 2007 and summer 2008 proves the economic case for investing in water storage schemes.
A ministry report released last Friday revealed that the drought cost the New Zealand economy $2.8 billion in on-farm and off-farm costs.
Waikato was the worst affected region, followed by Manawatu/Wanganui and Taranaki.
Federated Farmers president Don Nicholson is advocating a change in government thinking and believes New Zealand would see huge benefits from an increased capacity to store water.
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