Latest fromFarming
The price of water
As drought grips the country, the Government is promoting giant dams to irrigate dry farmland. Geoff Cumming investigates whether the biggest of these plans will work for farmers, investors and environmentalists
Forecasters blow hot and cold
Two professional weather forecasters got close to predicting the record hot, dry summer, but a "motivational astrologer" was adrift.
Noel Hewlett: Water catchment may ease pressure in a dry spell
That wonderful quote in our English history should be changed in New Zealand to: 'Water, water everywhere and not a drop is saved!'
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.
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.
Long-awaited rain forecast
Long-awaited rain is forecast for the drought-hit Northland region, with showers expected in some areas over the weekend.
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
No farmers have applied for hardship assistance after the Government cleared the way for the extra support by declaring five regions drought-affected.
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.
Farmers' profits forecast to halve
Sheep and beef farm profits are predicted to halve this season, as the full impact of current lamb prices and drought kick in, Beef and Lamb New Zealand says.
Key dons Colombian hat for silly photo
After two long days without a single silly photo on his Latin American trade tour, Prime Minister John Key has broken the drought by donning a vueltiao.
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.
Still no relief
Patchy showers have fallen in the central, northern and eastern North Island this morning, but barely enough to top up water tanks and penetrate dry soil.
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.
Diana Clement: Scouting out opportunities to invest in rural sector
The rural sector drives our economy. Yet there are surprisingly few opportunities for townies to invest in it. It is, of course, possible to buy a farm. This, however, is out of the financial reach of most investors.
Big dry forces farmers to sell stock
Dry weather has forced many farmers to sell their stock much earlier than usual - and there are fears things will get worse.
Editorial: Cleanup deal with farmers sets bar for all waterways
Editorial: Since the 1980s, scientists have been warning about the declining water quality in lakes around Rotorua, some of the country's most beautiful and popular.
Where have the sheep gone?
The days when there were 20 sheep for every Kiwi are long gone.
Farmer broke 230 cow tails
A dairy farmer convicted of breaking cows tails, in the worst case of its kind animal welfare authorities had ever seen, has been banned from owning cows for five years.
Deal ends fight over lake clean-up
A landmark deal that has ended one of the country's longest and largest environmental battles is now being touted as a template to help clean up our waterways.