They were my least drought tolerant plants I've grown in Kansas.

We haven't had an appreciable amount of rain for a month here in central NH, and my kiwi, which lives at the top of a well-drained slope, shows no sign of drought stress as far as I can see. It is probably cooler here now than wherever you are, however, and prior to this we had a fairly cool and wet summer.

I've never seen any drought stress on mine. I don't usually even water them (if I'm passing by with the hose during a long dry period in July, I'll give 'em a spray). They still grow amazingly fast and have nice clean leaves. Mine are well mulched wood chips and we get plenty of rain (per weather.com, 4-5" each month, except Feb).

They seem somewhat versatile here in California. When mulched and drip irrigation 2x/week in the dry season they do just fine