New Zealand declares drought zone

From AgraNet and @Endtimenews:

The New Zealand government has declared part of North Island a medium level drought zone this week and agriculture minister David Carter said more regions were likely to join it following the driest spring over the whole country since records began.

The declaration triggers government funds for rural trusts that provide farm management advice and counselling for affected farmers. Matt Long, Federated Farmers' Northland provincial president, said many were getting to their wits' end as the region moved into the second consecutive drought summer.