2025 March - Drought conditions in Taranaki region

On 27 February 2025, the Government classified this weather, which included hot, dry conditions with below average rainfall, as a medium-scale adverse event.  

We may be able to help if you are in the Taranaki region and your business or personal income is affected. 

Contacting us

You can contact us on our emergency helpline 0800 473 566.

For other ways to contact us, see our contact page.

Natural disasters, adverse and emergency events - contact us

See our website for more information on how we can help.

Natural disasters, adverse or emergency events

Help for you or your family

We may be able to help with your personal tax, KiwiSaver, or student loan payments. For child support or Working for Families payments, you’ll need to let us know if your situation has changed.

Help for you or your family in an adverse or emergency event

Help for your business

If you have a business or are self-employed, we can help if you are affected by an adverse or emergency event.

Help with your business tax in an adverse or emergency event

Help for farmers and growers

You may be able to get help through the income equalisation scheme if your income is affected by this event. 

We have made ‘class of case’ decisions to cover farmers and growers in the affected region.  Details are as follows. 

Income equalisation scheme – late deposits

You can make late deposits for the 2024 income year up to 30 June 2025. 

Income equalisation scheme – early refunds

You can apply for the early refund of a deposit if you are an affected farmer or grower who made their deposit before the ministerial declaration on 27 February 2025. 

Normally, income equalisation deposits are not available for refund until 12 months after they have been made. 

Your application for an early refund must be in writing. It may take around 5 days to process. 

The refund will be income in the year you make the application, unless you apply it to the previous income year. 

Income equalisation scheme 

Customers outside of the affected region 

For customers affected by drought conditions in other regions or districts you can apply to us on a case-by-case basis for the same relief.