Southland farmers say the problems caused by drought will only increase if it doesn't rain in the next few weeks.
Drought conditions in Central Otago. Photo: Susan Murray/RNZ
The New Zealand Drought Index shows the southern parts of the region are particularly dry.
Farmers say feed for stock is scarce and it's being stretched across more animals.
On some farms, stock are getting supplementary feed that's normally reserved for winter.
Arable crops are being harvested and people are still sorting stock and trying to get them to the freezing works.
Meanwhile, a wet start to the week is expected for parts of the North Island and the upper South Island.
MetService says a slow-moving low-pressure system over the Tasman Sea is expected to bring a very moist northeast flow over the country.
A front embedded in this flow should bring rain to northern and central New Zealand on Monday and Tuesday.
A heavy rain warning is in place for Northland, from 10am Sunday to 9am Monday, with 100 to 140 mm of rain expected to accumulate.
Heavy rain watches have been issued for Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay Of Plenty west of Opotiki, Taranaki, and northwest Tasman.