Taupō has been included in a drought declaration made by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay on Friday last week. (March 7, 2025).
The declaration classified drought conditions in the Northland, Waikato, Horizons, and Marlborough-Tasman regions as a medium-scale adverse event, recognising the worsening conditions faced by farmers.
Parts of Taupō and Rotorua were also experiencing extended hot, dry conditions which had reduced pasture growth rates and meant farmers were having to feed-out earlier to fill the gap, said McLay.
The declaration meant $100,000 was being made available to rural support groups and organisations that work with farmers in the affected regions.
Waikato chair of the Rural Support Trust, Neil Bateup who runs a dairy farm in north Waikato, said the effects of the drought here seemed to be very patchy.
“Some places are probably okay, but some are very dry,” he said.
The trust didn’t have money to hand out, he said, but could put farmers in touch with advisors to help. The important thing was to keep planning.
“Have a look every week and see how things are going, look at your available feed, animal condition and keep making decisions,” he said.
“At some point you might need to dry some cows off or your whole herd or get extra feed in. Every farm is different, and sheep and beef are different to dairy but... make sure you’re covering yourself and not running into difficulty at the end of the season.”
The trust would be running barbecue lunches 11am-1pm with speakers such as a farm or rural advisor and veterinarians on Tuesday, March 18 at the Tirohanga Hall and Tuesday, March 25 at the Reporoa Golf Club.
He urged anyone feeling overwhelmed to contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
“We don’t know when it’s going to rain, but it will rain, and the grass will grow again. I’ve been in difficult situations before but it’s amazing how fast the grass will grow again.”
The medium scale adverse event classification unlocks support for farmers and growers, including tax relief, and enables the Ministry of Social Development to consider Rural Assistance Payments.
Farmers can also contact MPI’s On Farm Support team on 0800 707 133.
