Regulators are being urged to work with and not against farmers.

Farmers across the top of the South Island are pinning their hopes on forecast rain to ease a drought some say is shaping up to be the worst since 2001.

Reports from many regions say the green grass seen on farms in January has now turned brown.

Farmers across the top of the South Island are pinning their hopes on forecast rain to ease a drought some say is shaping up as the worst since 2001.

Water storage is more important than ever as climate change causes more severe drought forecasts.

European scientists are forecasting that the next four years could be unusually warm.

Farmers in New South Wales are digging in to survive as the drought worsens. 

All Southland plus Otago’s Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago and Clutha districts are now declared officially in drought.

The Government is offering tax relief measures for farmers in drought-affected areas.

Droughts in two South Island districts have now been declared medium-scale adverse events.