The country appears to be heading into a dry winter.
Farmers are already grappling with that prospect, making decisions about stock and feed for the coming months.
At the same time, a dry winter, if it eventuates, could set the country back in its transition to a zero carbon economy.
AgResearch senior scientist Dr Robyn Dynes, and Victoria University Professor Justin Hodgkiss, who also co-director of the MacDiamid Institute, spoke to Susie Ferguson.
