GDP probably dominated by drought flow-on and quake rebuild
Drought and the Christchurch rebuild are expected to dominate the GDP data out tomorrow, with economic activity expected to have grown by 0.7% in the three months ending in March.
Drought
Drought status may be lifted
Drought status may be lifted
Drought status may be lifted for some areas of the country as the Government begins talks with experts following extensive rain in recent weeks.
Dry spell hits hydro storage
Dry spell hits hydro storage
The extent of the drought in the North Island became more apparent yesterday when Contact Energy released its latest operating statistics.
Rain brings some relief for farmers
Rain brings some relief for farmers
Heavy rain has given some farmers confidence they have now beaten the devastating record drought.
Govt warns farmers over drought
Govt warns farmers over drought
Farmers must adapt their practices if droughts become more common rather than relying on state bailouts, the Government warns.
Drought continues to bite in Nth Island
Drought continues to bite in Nth Island
The parched North Island won't see rain for at least a week as hot, dry weather continues to dominate in what has been described as one of the worst droughts since the 1940s.
Little relief in sight for Northland drought
Little relief in sight for Northland drought
Northland has had its driest start to a year in more than six decades, with little short-term relief on the horizon for drought-stricken farmers.
Drought declaration welcomed by farmers
Drought declaration welcomed by farmers
The official declaration of a state of drought in Northland has been welcomed by farmers, who say it will bring much-needed support to those affected.
Farmers concerned dry weather may signal drought
Farmers concerned dry weather may signal drought
Federated Farmers leaders say they are worried that dry conditions starting to develop around the country may signal a summer drought.
Drought continues as rain falls
Drought continues as rain falls
Smatterings of rainfall throughout much of the country this week failed to bring drought relief to the most parched regions.
Downpour after drought in April
Downpour after drought in April
Otago may have been declared to be in drought in early April but by the end of the month some towns in the region had received their first significant rainfall in nearly a year.
Rain welcomed in Central but caution on drought
Rain welcomed in Central but caution on drought
It took two or three successive dry years to make the current drought, so it will take more than one significant rainfall to ease the situation - that was the message yesterday from Central Otago farmers.
Otago gets drought relief
Otago gets drought relief
The Government is extending drought relief to a further four regions - Otago, Bay of Plenty, South Taranaki and parts of South Canterbury.
Discussions on drought
Discussions on drought
The effects of drought on farming practice will be discussed at a meeting at Five Forks this month.
It never rains - but then it pours
It never rains - but then it pours
Irony was on the minds of those attending a drought meeting in Ranfurly yesterday as persistent rain fell on previously-parched farmland nearby.
Govt help sought as drought bites
Govt help sought as drought bites
Worsening dry conditions have forced rural farming leaders to seek help from the Government.
Dry, but it's been worse, Kauru Hill farmers says
Dry, but it's been worse, Kauru Hill farmers says
Kauru Hill farmer Bryce Burnett admits that before a recent family holiday he was "getting a bit annoyed" about the dry conditions.
Drought brings 'weak tail' to farm production: Rabobank
Drought brings 'weak tail' to farm production: Rabobank
New Zealand farmers will have less to sell than usual this autumn as several regions slide into drought, creating a "weak tail" to the main primary production season, says a leading rural bank.
Kaitaia residents told to save water
Kaitaia residents told to save water
Residents of Kaitaia in the Far North have been told they could have their water turned off if they do not step up their conservation efforts.
WA drought, evidence of dramatic climate change: study
WA drought, evidence of dramatic climate change: study
The author behind a new study linking 30-year drought in Western Australia with heavy snowfall in Antarctica says it is strong evidence man-made greenhouse gases have provoked dramatic climate change.