Northland has officially asked the Government to declare it a drought zone barely six months after it emerged from the ravages of last summer’s dry.

Farming, horticulture and council representatives have met and agreed to make the request of Agriculture Minister David Carter.

Mr Carter has already visited drought-hit Waikato farmers and hinted that official declarations will have to be made soon.

Northland Rural Support Trust chair Julie Jonker says the outlook in the far north is grim, but after the experiences of last summer, most people are well prepared.

“That will enable us to immediately get out and start some workshops."

"Letting people know how what options they have available and how they can farm through these conditions.

"Some people have never been through this before, even though I know we’ve just come through a major drought.

Ms Jonker says declaring Northland an official drought area would provide funding for drought advice and support for farmers and growers.

"So this year we’ve learnt from last, we’re saying ‘right we’re not going to sit round and wait’, we’ve actually been in action since November.

"So this drought meeting which has requested confirmation of the classification of the event has taken place a lot earlier – just so we can really get out there and do some good.”

David Carter will visit farmers and growers in Northland next Wednesday.