The Ohakune area in the central North Island is drying out.
The Government has extended the areas eligible for drought relief assistance to include parts of North Canterbury, the Central Plateau, Taihape and Wairarapa.
The announcement follows recent declarations in Gisborne, Wairoa and Hawkes Bay.
Although Ohakune is not part of the extended drought zone, a brussels sprout grower there, Murray Taylor, says the district has been very dry for the second year in a row.
He says says it will be another couple of months before the full impact on his crops is known, but it's already very noticeable.
Mr Taylor says it will also mean the product's more expensive at the supermarket.