The Auckland Council's water company Watercare is using emergency powers to pull a further 15 million litres of water a day from the Waikato River.
It's already taking 150 million litres a day.
The change was pushed through using emergency powers under the Resource Management Act.
The Auckland region has been subject to water restrictions since last month as it grapples with a record-breaking drought.
The heads of Watercare, Auckland Council and Waikato Regional Council met on Friday to discuss options.
Waikato Regional Council chair Russ Rimmington says while Waikato can help the country's largest city with its water woes, Watercare appears to have "dropped the ball".
Watercare CEO Raveen Jaduram speaks to Corin Dann.
