Soil moisture levels in some parts of the country are back to normal after the heavy rainfall this week, according to NIWA.
Andrew Tait, a climate scientist at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, says Northland, Bay of Plenty and parts of Coromandel have 150 millimetres of soil moisture, which is what is expected for this time of year.
However, he says some areas are still dry, with Taranaki, King Country and the central North Island more than 50 millimetres drier than usual.
Mr Tait says warm, continuous rain is needed before winter to get grass growing and without it, the benefits of recent rainfall will be lost.
However, Federated Farmers says many drought-stricken areas remain relatively untouched by the weather system that has brought much-needed rain to others.
The organisation's adverse events spokesperson, Katie Milne, says the situation has improved in Bay of Plenty, Manawatu and Westland, but a large swathe of the North Island is still dry.
She says that includes Rangitikei, the central North Island, parts of Waikato and the west coast north of South Auckland.
Ms Milne says Southland and Otago also need a good soaking followed by sunshine.
She says farmers throughout the country are sowing seed in the hope of establishing pasture before winter sets in and grass growth slows.
During March, the entire North Island was declared a drought zone, along with the Buller and Grey districts on the West Coast.
