"It's certainly dry at the moment because we missed the usual Christmas/New Year rain we usually get. That rain will normally save us somewhat but, with some very hot days, pasture is dry."
Niwa's hot spot watch shows soils continue to be much drier than normal for this time of year for this district, with much of the region along and east of the Tararuas, southwest of Napier and northeast of Wellington, a hot spot as soils have been severely to extremely drier than normal for several weeks.
Horizons' regulations around water use allow for certain quantities of water to be taken out of rivers and streams when they are flowing above a minimum level. Once the rivers drop below that level, restrictions are put on the limit and in some cases stop water being taken.
Dr Peet said Horizons recognised that water takes providing people with clean, safe drinking water would need to continue even where rivers were below minimum flows.
"We are communicating with our district and city councils to ensure water is used efficiently and that appropriate restrictions are in place for urban use," he said.
"Water takes for stock water will need to continue as this is a significant welfare issue. Throughout the region, current compliance with low flow restrictions is excellent with no non-compliances issued over the past year."
-Horizons is monitoring river flows, see www.horizons.govt.nz.
