Latest fromDroughts

What tourists should know about Cape Town's drought
Cape Town, South Africa's second-largest city, is suffering from a severe water shortage.

Climate scientist: a letter to my grandchildren
The message sends hope that by 2060 our climate is not in a state of disarray.

Our hottest summer: what caused it?
A "trifecta" of big drivers combined to make this summer what will be NZ's hottest ever.

It hasn't been this hot since 1935: What's changed?
The last time summer was running this hot, Nazis ran Germany. What's been the difference?

The Big Read: Climate change – the best and worst for NZ
Climate scientist Dr James Renwick says time's running out to avoid the worst of warming.

Agency: NZ must act to adapt to global warming
Briefings: NZ needs to take hold of "window of opportunity" created by Paris Agreement.

Climate change could overwhelm sewer systems
Much of NZ's sewer networks aren't designed for the potential impacts of climate change.

Climate change a 'key' factor in migration
Climate change a bigger migration factor than income and freedom combined, NZ study finds.

Extreme weather: El Ninos to become twice as common
Damaging, extreme El Nino events will likely become twice as common under climate change.

Q&A: What Kiwis think about climate change
Two Waikato University researchers discuss what Kiwis think about climate change.

Ian Fuller: Water, water everywhere
As climate changes, so does the frequency and magnitude of floods and droughts.

Ethiopia is facing a killer drought
Food crises are erupting across Africa and there is no money to fight it.

Rain brings relief to Canterbury farmers
Rain has brought relief to drought-stricken South Island farmers.

A device to deal with drought
Scientists invented a water harvester that could consign droughts to history.

Q&A: Why do we live in flood zones?
Why do so many New Zealand communities lie in flood zones? An expert explains.

Generation Zero: NZ needs a climate change law
New Zealand was a decade behind countries like the UK.

Adelia Hallett: Climate action can save birds
COMMENT: Figures released last month by Niwa show that 2016 was the hottest year on record for New Zealand, with record or near-record breaking temperatures for many locations, writes Adelia Hallett.

Where oh where is summer?
COMMENT: Storms, high winds, heavy rain and even ice... What has happened to summer and will it improve. WeatherWatch head analyst Phil Duncan explains.

Northland: A post-apocalyptic vision
Climate change scientists have projected continued global greenhouse gas emissions would heat Northland heat up more than other regions

Our holiday weather explained
Dr Brett Mullan of the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) explains our holiday season weather and warming world.

Smart farming eases the big dry
El Nino is technically past its peak, but the true impact of the weather pattern looks likely to play out over the next few months.

El Nino drought 'won't tip NZ into recession'
The current El Nino weather pattern will make its presence felt on the agriculture sector if it leads to drought, but it will not be enough to tip the country into recession.

NZ set for long, dry summer
Summer's El Nino weather pattern may be good news for barbecues and backyard cricket, but farmers and firefighters are preparing to battle drought and wildfires.

Severe El Nino on the cards
This year's El Nino weather pattern is shaping up to be one of the strongest, if not the strongest, on record - bringing with it an elevated risk of drought.

More financial help for drought-affected farmers
Support for the drought-affected eastern South Island has been extended, and an extra $100,000 has been granted to help struggling farmers.

Days of easy water over
The controversial $275 million Ruataniwha water storage scheme in Hawkes Bay is a step closer after the High Court said no appeals had been lodged in the consent process.

Almond prices start to look nutty
People have embraced the taste of almond products. The question now is whether they can stomach higher costs.

Another big, bad El Nino?
Weather patterns suggest NZ could be in for another horror El Nino like that of 1997 and 1998, which resulted in a severe drought costing the country millions.

Farmers forced to turn off taps
Farmers with rights to California water dating back more than a century face sharp cutbacks, the first reduction in their water use since 1977.