Water restrictions lift across Far North

All remaining water restrictions will be lifted across the Far North from today (Monday 5 May) as Paihia-Ōpua-Waitangi, Kawakawa-Moerewa, Ōpononi-Ōmāpere and Ōmanaia-Rāwene return to Level 1 from Level 2 restrictions. Large roadside ‘Tiaki ngā wai - Save water now’ signs will be removed from these towns from today.

The Far North’s other water supplies that service Kerikeri-Waipapa, Kaitāia, Kaikohe-Ngāwhā and Ōkaihau, returned to Level 1 last week. Level 1 restrictions ask customers to use water sensibly.

Water restrictions were first applied this summer to households in Kawakawa-Moerewa, Ōmanaia-Rāwene and Ōpononi-Ōmāpere on Monday 16 December. All eight Far North water supplies have since had restrictions applied throughout the dry summer.

Several weeks of heavy rain in April, including downpours brought by ex-tropical Cyclone Tam, ended the dry spell. The consistent rainfall boosted flow levels in water supplies across the Far North enabling river levels to stablise. Normal levels of rain for the next 35 days are predicted by Taihoro Nukurangi National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) .

All Far North residents and visitors are urged to use water sensibly and continue reporting any water leaks by calling 0800 920 029.

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Main photo - large roadside 'Tiaki ngā wai - Save water now' signs like this one in Paihia have been installed across the district this summer, but all remaining signs will be removed today.