Water supply restriction levels
Northland is classified as being in a drought as of 7 March 2025. Streams, rivers and aquifers supplying towns across the Far North are below normal levels. All Far North towns currently have water restrictions applied, as outlined below.
Kaikohe-Ngāwhā water restriction level
Level 2 - No outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems.
Kaitāia water restriction level
Level 2 - No outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems.
Kawakawa-Moerewa water restriction level
Level 2 - No outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems.
Kerikeri-Waipapa water restriction level
Level 2 - No outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems.
Paihia-Ōpua-Waitangi water restriction level
Level 2 - No outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems.
Ōkaihau water restriction level
Level 2 - No outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems.
Ōmanaia-Rāwene water restriction level
Level 3 - No hoses, outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems.
Ōpononi-Ōmāpere water restriction level
Level 3 - No hoses, outdoor sprinklers or irrigation systems.
Additional information
| Level # | Water restriction | Water use |
| Level 1 | No water restrictions | USE WATER SENSIBLY |
| Level 2 | Water restrictions | NO SPRINKLERS |
| Level 3 | Water restrictions | NO HOSES OR SPRINKLERS |
| Level 4 | Water restrictions | ESSENTIAL USE ONLY |
Residential restrictions
Commercial restrictions
Below are some easy water saving tips you can use right now to help conserve water.
- Only wash clothes when you have a full load. A washing machine uses about 150 litres of water per wash
- Use the dishwasher for full loads only. Each load uses 40 to 80 litres of water
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
- Put the plug in the sink when washing vegetables and don’t leave the tap running
- Put a half-full soft drink bottle in your toilet cistern to reduce the quantity of water you flush
- Flush the toilet less often
- Use less water in the bath. A bath can use up to 80 litres of water
- Take shorter showers. A shower uses about 8 litres of water a minute
- Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge to avoid running more water than you need for a glass of water.