The rain that drenched the Western Bay of Plenty over the last two days has ended the drought in the region, says Bay of Plenty Rural Support Trust chairman Derek Spratt.
He says farmers could not have asked for better weather conditions over the past few days.

Bay of Plenty Rural Support Trust chairman Derek Spratt is happy the brown hills are turning green with all the rain over the last few days.

"The drought itself has been broken. Just by this rain it's brought the soil moisture levels to just about normal."
He says the rain is allowing strong grass growth in the region.
"The first bit of rain last week softened the top off so that the next lot of rain we've just had has a chance to penetrate."
The Bay of Plenty Rural Support Trust will keep operating until September.
Derek expects winter to create more problems for farmers.