After two years, regions along the South Island's east coast are no longer considered to be in a state of drought.
Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago were affected by the drought. Photo: RNZ/ Patrick Phelps
In 2015, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy classified the drought as "a medium-scale adverse event" affecting Marlborough, Canterbury and parts of Otago.
The following two years made the drought the longest recorded in this country - but the official period has not been extended since 31 December.
South Island Drought Committee coordinator Sarah Barr said North Canterbury was still suffering.
But she said, because it was a localised event, it did not meet government criteria for an extension of the drought period.
"It no longer meets the medium-scale requirements, so North Canterbury is the only area that is still suffering negative impacts of drought conditions."