It’s how we operate
If you run a business in the Far North, you’re already good at this. You’ve worked around road closures. You’ve kept the doors open through storms, power cuts and a pandemic. Resilience isn’t a buzzword up here. It’s how we operate. So as we head into summer, let’s put that experience to work.
What’s on the horizon
Earth Sciences New Zealand expects a very strong El Niño to shape our weather over the next three months, with a higher chance of dry spells across the north and east of the North Island. Northland is among the regions most likely to see reduced rainfall and drying soils. Here’s the encouraging part. Northland Regional Council says the region is heading into this summer in a considerably stronger position than it was before the 2020 drought. That’s no accident. After 2020, the council built temporary supplementary water supplies for Kaikohe and Kaitaia, the hardest-hit towns, and turned its focus to permanent new supplies for both. And when things did get tough in 2020, our communities rose to it. Residents and businesses cut their water use so effectively that emergency supplies set up in Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Rawene were never needed.
That’s the Far North at its best.
We already know how to adapt
Far North businesses have form when it comes to planning around the unexpected. In NZIER research for the Northland Corporate Group, 798 businesses took part, representing 11 per cent of the region’s employers. Many said they were already holding more inventory and building extra redundancy into their operations to manage infrastructure challenges. In other words, local businesses aren’t waiting for perfect conditions. They’re planning around reality.
Focus on what you can control
You can’t make it rain. You can’t fix the roads or set the council’s budget. But you can take a few simple steps now that make a big difference later.
1. Know what your business relies on
Make a quick list: water, power, internet, roads, key suppliers. Knowing your critical services is the first step to protecting them.
2. Have a plan B ready
Could you add water storage? Line up a backup supplier? Keep a bit more stock on hand over the busy season? Small changes made in November are easier and cheaper than quick fixes in February.
3. Look for water-wise wins
Reducing water use doesn’t have to mean reducing service. Fixing leaks, adjusting cleaning routines or rethinking garden watering can save money all year round, not just in a dry spell.
4. Run a “dry summer” cashflow check
If your customers include farmers, growers or tourism operators, their summer affects yours. A simple forecast scenario shows you where pressure points might appear, so you can plan ahead with confidence.
5. Talk to your people
Let staff know the plan. When everyone understands what to do if restrictions come in, your business keeps running smoothly and customers barely notice.
Thinking long term
Preparing for this summer is also a chance to think further ahead. The Far North District Council is working on its Long Term Plan 2027–37, which will set out the services, projects and infrastructure it plans to deliver over the next decade, and how they’ll be funded. It’s due to be adopted by 1 July 2027. For business owners, that’s valuable planning information. Knowing where water, roading and community investment is heading helps you make smarter decisions about growth, timing and investment.
The bottom line
Being prepared isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about giving yourself options. The businesses that thrive through a tricky season are usually the ones that thought ahead, ran the numbers and made a plan. And with the experience we’ve built up across the Far North, we’re well placed to do exactly that. This article is general information only. If you’d like help building a simple summer plan or cashflow scenario for your business, have a chat with your advisor.
What’s one thing you’ve changed in your business after a tough season that’s made you stronger?