Latest fromDroughts

Final curtain call for north's long summer
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.

City folk asked to watch water use
City-dwellers are being asked to save water around the home after three months of record-dry conditions.

Rain coming, but then it's back to the drought
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.

Lions' larder restocked with fresh meat
Kenyan authorities have begun a plan to restore the predator-prey balance in one of the country's premier game parks after a recent drought.

Storms set scene for taste of the tropics
Unsettled conditions could mark a turning point for our summer weather, forecasters say.

More fire bans likely as drought fears rise
A long spell of dry weather is likely to lead to more fire bans being put in place.

Govt may consider drought assistance
The Government is keeping close watch on the "big dry" in many regions and will consider drought assistance if conditions worsen, Agriculture Minister David Carter says.