Wairarapa is the latest region where the long dry summer is taking its toll on farmers.

The Wairarapa Drought Committee, made up of regional councillors and farmers, has declared a state of local drought. 

While the declaration doesn’t give farmers any compensation, it’s one step closer to having a formal drought declared by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Wayne O’Donnell says they’ll need rain soon, to avoid a formal declaration.

– Newstalk ZB