Russia last week banned grain exports for the rest of the year after a severe drought and wildfires destroyed 20 per cent of its wheat crop.

Drought throughout the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland and Northland has dried up the water where ducks usually dwell.

Farmers' economic confidence improved in the first months of 2010, boosted by sheep and beef prices.

Weather analyst Philip Duncan can't believe Aucklanders are being asked to conserve water.

Annie Drew and her girls enjoyed a late season splash at the beach yesterday as the North Island's seemingly never-ending summer pushed on.

The drought hitting Northland farmers could not get much more serious, Federated Farmers says.

Forecasters and frustrated farmers say short bursts of heavy showers yesterday will do little to break droughts.

Parts of the drought-stricken north are expected to get their first rain in more than two months, but forecasters warn they are unlikely to be the end of the drought.