Latest FromDroughts
![Long-awaited rain forecast](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Long-awaited rain forecast
Long-awaited rain is forecast for the drought-hit Northland region, with showers expected in some areas over the weekend.
![John Armstrong: Budget goal at mercy of drought](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
John Armstrong: Budget goal at mercy of drought
Bill English must be asking himself what he did in some past life to have seemingly so incensed the forces of nature, writes John Armstrong. "What next? A plague of locusts? Or frogs? Or boils?"
![Waiheke families forced to go without water](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Waiheke families forced to go without water
The waiting list for water delivery on Waiheke Island is getting so long some families need to go without water for days on end.
![Guy defends trip: 'I can't make it rain'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Guy defends trip: 'I can't make it rain'
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has defended his decision to stay with a trade delegation in South America rather than returning home to contend with the drought.
![Hardship assistance offer not taken up](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Hardship assistance offer not taken up
No farmers have applied for hardship assistance after the Government cleared the way for the extra support by declaring five regions drought-affected.
![Baking summer sparks wine warning](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Baking summer sparks wine warning
The wine industry risks slipping back into overproduction as one of the driest summers in living memory provides outstanding grape-growing conditions across the country, says an analyst.
![Tough, but not as bad as 2008](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Tough, but not as bad as 2008
Waikato dairy farmer Peter Brown rates his anxiety levels "about a 7.5" out of 10 as he endures his second drought in just five years.
![Forecast: Rain many days away](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Forecast: Rain many days away
The parched North Island won't see rain for at least a week as hot, dry weather continues in what has been described as one of the worst droughts since the 1940s.
![North Island's worst drought in 70 years](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
North Island's worst drought in 70 years
A climate expert believes summers like this one will become the new norm for New Zealand. Droughts have already been declared across much of the North Island.
![Sprinkler ban across Wellington](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Sprinkler ban across Wellington
A shortage of water across the Wellington region means there is now a ban on garden sprinklers and irrigation systems.
![Drought spreads down NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Drought spreads down NZ
The drought is working its way down the country, and with with no change predicted until at least mid-March, farmers from Northland to Southland are suffering.
![Farmers in crisis as city fills pools](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Farmers in crisis as city fills pools
Big dry forces stock selloffs, but Aucklanders can still water gardens, wash cars thanks to Waikato River supplies
![Tropical weather 'roaring into life'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Tropical weather 'roaring into life'
A tropical cyclone and three other heavy rain patterns are due to position themselves above NZ this weekend, but it is unlikely they will bring much-needed rain.
![Drought extended across North Island](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Drought extended across North Island
Droughts have been declared in South Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay regions, a week after drought was declared in Northland.
![Big dry, strong highs to continue](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Big dry, strong highs to continue
Here comes the end of the golden weather - but March is still forecast to treat sunseekers to the afterglow of an extremely fine summer.
![Waikato drought warning](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Waikato drought warning
A drought is expected to be declared in the Waikato this week after brief showers did little to help parched farms, and the Hawkes Bay is expected to follow suit.
![Counting cost of big dry](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Counting cost of big dry
The big dry has parts of the country firmly in its grip. The Government has declared a drought in Northland and is expected to do so in Waikato.
![IRD to help drought-hit Northland farmers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
IRD to help drought-hit Northland farmers
The Inland Revenue Department has announced help for drought-hit Northland farmers.
!['If it doesn't rain soon we're in trouble'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'If it doesn't rain soon we're in trouble'
The Government has officially declared a state of drought in Northland and authorities are expected to do the same in the Waikato today.
![Drought: New Zealand's driest areas](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Drought: New Zealand's driest areas
The North Island has had one of its driest summers in years, with farmers now feeling the brunt of the lack of water.
!['Entering the grip of a drought'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Entering the grip of a drought'
Hot, dry weather has many Bay of Plenty dairy farmers struggling to make ends meet as Tauranga stares down the barrel of the third driest month in living memory.
![Heatwave: Scientist tips a scorcher](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Heatwave: Scientist tips a scorcher
Temperatures on the east coast of New Zealand could reach 40 degrees today and tomorrow, according to a climate scientist, and authorities are on drought watch.