Taranaki is the latest region to seek drought relief after months without significant rainfall.
The region's Federated Farmers branch has made an official application to the Government to have the entire province classified as a drought zone.
This week the Waikato region and Ruapehu district were officially declared in a medium-level drought, joining Northland and north Auckland.
The chair of Taranaki's meat and fibre section, Neville Wallace, says the dry conditions are particularly bad for hill country farms.
Water restriction warnings
Some local authorities are warning farmers and growers to expect water restrictions this summer.
Southland Regional Council says rivers and aquifers in its region are already at low levels and if the dry weather continues, irrigators and other major consent holders may have to cut back or cease water takes this summer.
Manawatu-Whanganui region council says water tables across its region are also low for this time of year, and restrictions are likely on groundwater takes.
Waikato regional council says the very dry conditions are putting farmers and growers under pressure, and they need to remember there are rules governing takes from waterways and groundwater.
A number of district and regional councils, including Waikato, the Far North and New Plymouth, have already placed restrictions on the use of sprinklers, garden irrigation systems and hoses.
