Māhanga Beach residents are being asked to restrict use of theMāhanga non-potable water supply over the busy summer period.

Last year, a temporary water restriction was implemented from mid-December. This year, the restriction will take place from Monday, December 1, 2025, with the water supply already experiencing supply issues. Council will notify residents when the restriction is lifted.

The restrictions are essential to ensure the continued availability of Māhanga supply water for essential needs and to ensure sufficient water is available in the event of a fire emergency.

Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Matt Lawson says the Council appreciates that last year, Māhanga residents complied with the restrictions around Council-supplied outdoor water use.

"We were fortunate it was a wetter summer, and we appreciate the support we received from the Māhanga community," Mr Lawson says.

"We realise this is an inconvenience, but due to the challenges around supplying water at Māhanga, we have had to take this action."

The Māhanga water supply is non-potable, and as a precaution, all water from the Māhanga water supply should be boiled before use.

At Māhanga, most properties source their own water using collection tanks and utilise the non-potable supply for external or outside use.

The restriction, which is in accordance with Section 7.3 of the Water Supply Bylaw 2022, is effective as of 1 December 2025, with the following outdoor Council-supplied water use activities prohibited:

1. Watering of lawns and gardens: No outdoor irrigation or sprinkler use is permitted.
2. Car/boat washing: Washing of vehicles or boats with a hose is prohibited.
3. Filling of pools, fountains, or other water features: the use of water to fill swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains, or decorative ponds is prohibited.
4. Other outdoor water uses: All other non-essential outdoor water use activities are restricted.

Thank you again to the Māhanga community for your support in conserving water from the Māhanga water supply.

1 December 2025

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