The Agriculture Minister has declared the drought conditions in the Gisborne, Manawatū, Rangitikei, and Tararua districts as a medium-scale adverse event.
Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
This follows previous announcements in Northland, Auckland and Waikato.
Damien O'Connor said the declaration would unlock $150,000 of extra funding support for the farming sector, which would be made available to local organisations like the Rural Support Trusts.
O'Connor said in extreme cases, Rural Assistance payments would be made available to farmers.
He said he was keeping an eye on several other regions where conditions were very dry and extra help might also be needed.