New research highlights that past droughts in New Zealand, particularly before 1950, were more severe than recent events.
Current risk assessments relying on data since the 1970s may underestimate the potential scale of future meteorological droughts.
Significant historical dry periods, such as the 1914-15 and 1907-08 events, provide critical benchmarks for climate planning.
Rising global temperatures are expected to worsen future dry spells, necessitating a re-evaluation of long-term climate risk strategies.