El Niño has arrived, bringing fears of droughts, wildfires and heavy rainfall | Stuff.co.nz

Scientists have officially declared El Niño is here, and they're warning this one has the potential to become one of the strongest on record. It could mean hotter temperatures, stronger winds and prolonged dry spells for large parts of New Zealand, with flow-on effects for everything from farming to food prices. Senior reporter Juliet Speedy has the story. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stuff NZ is New Zealand’s essential news source — bringing you live, lively and trustworthy journalism from every corner of Aotearoa. Stay informed with breaking news, in-depth stories, and the latest updates that matter to Kiwis. We upload daily, keeping you connected with the people, places and issues shaping New Zealand today. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Social media channels: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nzstuff Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzstuff