Last week's rain was just a freshener and conditions are still perilously dry across the region, Horizons Regional Council chief executive Michael McCartney says.
"It was a freshener - nowhere near enough to turn the tide. Unless we get more rain soon the benefit will disappear."
No decent rain is predicted in the next two weeks, McCartney said.
Last week's rain was "patchy" - extremely variable from place to place.
From February 18 to February 23 coastal Whanganui got 50mm, Palmerston North 30mm, Waiouru 27mm, Ohakune 33mm, Taumarunui 5mm and Hāwera 24mm.