Police advise residents being targeted to 'close the door and not engage with the person'.

“It was very quiet ... a lot of people were crying."

“I get most stressed when the cows aren’t performing well."

It's a long road ahead for farmers in the worst-affected areas.

'A lot of people are struggling for water to feed their stock.'

'A drought’s quite insidious. It sneaks up on you slowly.'

'If people were to log their burn-offs ... then we don’t chase these things for hours.'

'You see all sorts now, you’ve got the farmers who have the glamping tents.'

Helicopters and crews from multiple regions have been involved in the effort.

Multiple fire crews have been battling a large blaze among pines at Parewanui.

'It was a vegetation fire of 60m by 40m.'

A Waverley woolshed about 80m by 20m was fully involved in fire.

“They did a wonderful job getting the guy out, and that’s what they’re trained for.”

“Relying on overseas doctors to fill our rural workforce gaps is not sustainable."

'I can't stress enough that once your dog has signs, you're too late.'

'They’re flighty animals and, if something goes wrong, they can go quite far.'

'The dogs in Waverley are out of control.'

'It can be anything from a tiny little scratch to the leg almost falling off.'

'If you’re not fed or nourished, you can’t learn.'

Discharging a carcass into or near a waterway can lead to fines of up to $750.

'I instantly felt my car hit about four to five potholes really hard.'

'It’s all good, I just haven’t told my wife yet.'

The roses Bob Matthews creates have to possess the 'wow factor'.

'If you take your mind off it, you’ll make a mistake.'

The wind and the dry grass meant the fire moved rapidly up the steep hill.

Three pumps and two tankers are on the way.

The cause is being investigated.

The wool from this couple's Papanui Estate farm is turned into designer bags.

This year's Shepherds' Shemozzle involved eating a boiled sheep's tongue.

“He thinks he’s pretty cool with his sunglasses on, he kind of struts out.”

The race in which shepherds eat disgusting things has hit a milestone.

“That’s why this work to try to hold the soil on the ground is so important."

'Climate change is definitely upon us.'

Between 50 and 100 people flocked to the filming location to meet the Baywatch star.

"We thought 'this is madness'."

“These are really big, gnarly issues that are confronting us."

'You don't think about why you're doing this stuff, you just do it, it's good fun.'

'We’re in a pretty desperate state.'

“People obviously think this is ridiculous when you tell them it’s a drumstick."

A lack of dentists is making dental care less of a priority for some rural residents.

"It means we’re coming together and feeling proud to be farmers."