Latest fromDroughts

Rain not enough to end drought
The weekend's rain has been welcomed as a start but hasn't come near the 100mm needed to put an end to the drought.

More droughts and bush fires tipped for future
Goodbye frosts, hello droughts and bush fires.

Daunting forecast for weather
Some time next year, what could be the world's largest research project will be presented to the United Nations' Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change.

Drought cost doubles
Finance Minister Bill English now believes the drought could cost the nation's economy up to $2 billion - double the figure estimated last week.

Climate scientist's grim warning
Farmers need to adapt for a drier future as events like the 'once-in-a-lifetime' drought become closer to the norm.

Fear of toxic honey caused by drought
The drought conditions much of the country is facing could lead to much higher than usual levels of tutin in honey.

Parched land causes woes
The forecast rain could add to the problems for drought affected farmers, even though the prospect of wet weather in many places from tomorrow is good news.

Final Word: Green thumbs versus the big dry
It’s a sad state when cracks are the only things growing in the garden.

Drought: Rain still on track for weekend
Rain is still on track to spread across the country this weekend, bringing relief to the parched North Island and parts of the South Island heading the same way.

North Island declared a drought zone
The entire North Island has officially been declared a drought zone. Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay have already been declared to be in drought.

Reserve Bank warning shot
Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler delivered a warning to the financial markets yesterday - don't assume interest rates can only go up from here.

Satellite shows the browning of North Island
Dramatic satellite images of the country taken a year apart highlight the North Island's desperate need for rain as the drought continues.

Drought trouble: More regions ask for help
Most of the North Island could be declared a drought zone by the end of the week, but Prime Minister John Key says the impact on the Government's books remains to be seen.

Drought's deadly farm toll
Slaughterman Kent Sambells' workload was "hectic" last week as Waikato farmers called him in to destroy ailing cattle and take them away for processing into pet food.

Bloodsuckers enjoy weather
A damp start to summer followed by a prolonged spell of dry weather has provided perfect conditions for biting insects.

Shadow board tips OCR hold
The NZIER shadow board thinks on balance the Reserve Bank should keep the official cash rate on hold at 2.5 per cent tomorrow, but compared with six weeks ago there is less support for a cut and more for a hike.

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
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
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'
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.