A Waikato Regional Drought Committee has been formed to help manage the response to dry weather conditions in the region which have been causing significant problems for farmers and led to water restrictions.
Waikato Regional Council chairman Peter Buckley says the committee wants to make sure the situation is managed tightly and is ready to ramp up the response as required.
"This committee will help us work together to make sure we get the right mechanisms in place to provide support to those affected in a timely way."
The meeting was attended by central government and council officials, Federated Farmers, the Rural Support Trust, Dairy NZ and representatives from other organisations.
Members heard that climatic conditions were, in many Waikato areas, on par with the drought of 2008, with lower than normal rainfall and soil moisture and low river flows.