TAURANGA SOUTH HUMIDITY DECLARED A HAZARD TO COIFFURE, COUNCIL TO RESPOND IN DUE COURSE

Residents of Tauranga South have reported a sustained humidity incident rendering human hair, in the words of one complainant, "a bloody menace to navigation".

This reporter attended Fraser Street at approximately 0930 hours Wednesday. Conditions were, technically speaking, muggy. A woman exiting the Countdown was observed with hair occupying roughly twice the volume it had on entry. She declined to comment, citing visibility issues.

Lorraine Beazley, 61, of Gate Pa, said she had given up on the blow-dry as a concept. "Spent forty minutes on it. Walked to the letterbox. Looked like I'd been electrocuted by a possum. Gerald would've laughed. He's dead now, but he would've."

A local hairdresser, who asked to be identified only as Sharlene because "I've got bookings", said the salon had moved to a damage-limitation footing. "We're not styling. We're containing. Different service entirely."

MetService confirmed humidity in the Bay of Plenty was "elevated but within seasonal parameters". My mate Snowy at the station uses that same phrasing whenever something has gone wrong and nobody wants the paperwork.

STATEMENT FROM TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL

Tauranga City Council is aware of community concerns regarding recent humidity levels in the Tauranga South area and their reported impact on residents.

Council officers have been advised of the matter. A review of available options is being undertaken. It should be noted that atmospheric moisture content falls outside Council's direct operational remit and is, in the first instance, a matter for central government and the wider climate.

Residents experiencing difficulty are encouraged to consult their preferred service provider and to exercise patience while the situation is monitored. A further update will be provided in due course.

Council thanks the community for its ongoing understanding.