Northlanders and holidaymakers visiting the region are being urged to conserve water as a dry summer continues

Northland Regional Council chairman Geoff Crawford said parts of the Far North and Kaipara districts have been under water restrictions since late last year, and the region has only become drier since.

Northland's water supplies will be under even more strain when tens of thousands of people descended on the region for Anniversary Weekend and Waitangi Day.

Mr Crawford says some rain was forecast next week but it is unlikely to be enough to replenish the region's shrinking rivers.

Central and southern areas of Northland are the worst affected.