Drought
Drought-hit South Island farmers hope for rain
Some dairy farmers in drought-hit districts on the South Island's West Coast are having to cut down on milking and de-stock.
Wet weather predicted for February
Despite the drought conditions in many parts of country, NIWA is forecasting wetter weather for February. Audio
Rain on the way for parched farmers on the West Coast
Farmers are running low on feed as hot temperatures dry out pastures. Audio
Minister meets with drought-hit farmers
The Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor has been meeting with farmers at Reefton on the West Coast today. Audio
Drought declared on West Coast
West Coast farmers are worried about feed shortages as the typically wet region dries out. Audio
Rain may not help dry regions
The deluge of rain expected to hit most of the country from today is unlikely to help regions struggling with water shortages. Audio
Taranaki Farmers struggling with hot temperatures and little rain
Farmers struggling with drought in the lower North Island are hoping rain forecast for the coming days will go some way in mitigating the tough dry conditions they're dealing with, as the Taranaki… Audio
Large Rolleston fire contained
Fire crews will continue to fight two large fires in Christchurch overnight, emergency services say. Video
Fire concerns as Canterbury temperatures rise
Extremely dry conditions and rising temperatures in Canterbury have fire crews and local councils concerned about a repeat of last summer's massive fires.
On the road with Sister Christine
Meet Sister Christine Henry. She is a Brisbane nun and registered nurse who has spent the past 10 years travelling more than 950,000 kilometres to help families in the bush. Audio
On the road with Sister Christine
Meet Sister Christine Henry. She is a Brisbane nun and registered nurse who has spent the past 10 years travelling more than 950,000 kilometres to help families in the bush.
AudioChristchurch's 46 days without rain officially ends
Rain fell in Christchurch's western suburbs, with 33.6mm falling at the airport, but much of the city missed the brief rain - not enough fell to register in many of the city's rain gauges. Audio
Fatigued farmers brace for possible drought
Hot, dry conditions in North Canterbury are making farmers nervous that another drought is looming.
No relief from hot, dry weather in the near future
Regions left parched by the hot, dry weather across the country can expect little relief as two fronts are set to hit the South Island over the next few days. Audio
'Unprecedented' run of hot weather
This summer, hot, dry weather has arrived earlier than usual, causing fears of drought in regions right across the country, including ones that aren't normally affected. MetService says the long run… Audio
Alarm bells sounded over gaps in disaster resilience
The former director of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction is highlighting gaps in New Zealand's approach to risk governance. Kathryn Ryan speaks to Elizabeth Longworth who says she is concerned… Audio
'I haven't seen this creek flowing for over three years'
Drought-hit farmers in North Canterbury are breathing a sigh of relief, with the rainfall brought by two cyclones turning parched paddocks green. Video
Cyclones bring reprieve for drought-plagued North Canterbury
Recent rainfall has turned parched paddocks green in North Canterbury and caused one creek to flow for the first time in three years. Video, Audio
Three-year drought did 'more harm' than quake
For north Canterbury farmer Richard Wilding, three years of drought has been worse than the Kaikōura earthquake that damaged his farm and wrecked his home.
Farmers struggling with drought and quake damage
Rain in North Canterbury has been welcomed by farmers, but they say after three years of drought the 60 millimetres that fell last week does not mean they're out of the woods, as Maja Burry reports. Audio
