Farmers in the Far North say a bout of rain overnight on Monday did nothing to break the drought.
The region has seen little rain for months. An official drought was declared in early January.
Since then, water shortages have resulted in tight stock feed supplies and a cut-back on milking.
Ian Walker, who farms near Kaitaia, says about 20mm of rain fell overnight, which will not fix the problem.
Though any rain is welcome, he says it will take several days of sustained rain to alleviate the drought and what the region needs is a good nor-easter.
Meanwhile, water restrictions remain in Whangarei. Six millimetres of rain fell on the city - after months of drought and only 12mm for the whole of March.
Whangarei District Council says the Whau Valley dam, which supplies about half the city's water, is at its lowest level since 1994. It says the dam is just under 53% full.
A hose ban is likely to be imposed by mid-April, along with other restrictions like those in place in the Far North.
