As Auckland continues to struggle with drought, areas south of the city are seeing their water restrictions lifted

After a prolonged dry period, coupled with Covid-19, Waikato, including Hamilton and Waipa , are no longer under strict water restrictions from today.

Coordinator for Waikato's water provider Smart Water, Michelle Templeton, says this year is the first time some areas had serious concerns about water usage.

She says this summer was the first in Waipa history to reach water alert level four.