Drought

The Prime Minister has announced a relief package for drought-hit areas around New Zealand, unlocking millions of dollars in financial support.

Jacinda Ardern visited the Far North to see the parched… Audio

The Government has officially classified drought conditions over all of the North Island, parts of the South and the Chathams as a large-scale adverse event. A $2 million package to support farmers… Audio

Droughts are likely to be declared in more regions as the big dry spreads further south and farmers continue to struggle with water shortages.

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor says sprinklings of… Audio

Wallace Chapman asks Andrew Hoggard, National Vice-president of Federated Farmers, how farmers are coping with dry weather across the North Island.  Audio

Aucklanders can still turn on their taps during the drought but outside of the city supply, the north is counting every drop of water.  Audio

Aucklanders are tightening their water belts following calls from Watercare to start conserving.

On Wednesday last week the city used more than 560 million litres of water, breaking all previous… Video, Audio

Associate Professor Anthony Fowler joins The Panel to talk about the increasing drought in the north, and concerns about water supply Audio

The small Far North town of Kaikohe is now facing its second week of level four water restrictions, and with no rain in sight - things are set to stay that way.

It's devastating for the small town… Video, Audio

Auckland Council is planning to use Fonterra's milk tankers to try and get water to thousands of households whose tanks are running dangerously low.

Auckland is on track to reach 40 consecutive days… Video, Audio

The extreme dry spell affecting many parts of the country continues to bite with water restrictions, fire bans and farms becoming brown and barren dust-bowls.

Soil moisture deficits are worsening… Video, Audio

Parched land, water shortages, fire bans and dry pastures are affecting several parts of the country experiencing drought like conditions - and there's no immediate end in sight. A fire ban is in… Audio

Kaikohe businesses have rallied to address the drought in Northland, with a meeting held earlier this week. Audio

Northland Federated Farmers president and sheep farmer John Blackwell is calling on the government to declare a drought in his region.  Audio

Weatherwatch analyst Phillip Duncan says people shouldn't read too much into reports of a rare stratospheric warming over Antarctica causing havoc with New Zealand weather over the coming days.  Audio

Greg Jerry is spending up to $15,000 a month to feed the remaining stock on his farm in north west NSW. He dreads what he will find when he goes out onto the farm each day. Audio, Gallery

The usually wet winter months are proving particularly dry this year - with parts of the country recording their driest January to June on record. The lack of rain has left Auckland's water supply… Audio