The drought zone in the North Island has been extended to include the Waikato and Ruapehu regions.

Agriculture Minister David Carter made the announcement while visiting drought-hit farmers in western Waikato.

Declaring the areas medium-level drought zones opens up the same funding and relief options accorded to Northland farmers when Mr Carter made the same announcement there last week.

Waikato Federated Farmers president Stew Wadey says the announcement will be a relief to many farmers struggling through their fourth consecutive summer drought.

"It’s good the Minister and the Government have acknowledged the severe dry conditions we have in the Waikato.

"It does signal to the farmers that the Government and the leaders in agriculture in the Waikato are very aware of the situation so the drought declaration has certainly been well received."