Farmers in Northland are now suffering through the region's fifth drought in eight years.
The Far North has been declared a drought zone - and conditions are going to get worse before they get better.
A smattering of rain fell on Northland on Friday, but it's too little too late.
Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy chose a grey day to make it official - announcing what farmers have known for weeks.
It's been an extremely dry summer in the North with some parts of the region receiving only 9 millimetres of rain in December - that's just 8 percent of what they'd normally get.
The weather is turning summer into a distressing time for farmers who've been forced to source extra feed and de-stock.
The drought will see the Government put money towards counselling and advisory services for farmers with tax flexibility available for the worst affected.
And unfortunately there's no reprieve or rain on the horizon for farmers.
Extremely hot temperatures are expected next week, with the MetService forecasting below average rainfall and above average temperatures for the rest of the month.
That's an unwelcome recipe for farmers and one that'll keep them feeling the heat.
Newshub.
