Our Commitment to NZ’s waterways
There's an important conversation happening about the health of New Zealand's waterways. We care about the problem and want to share what we're doing to help fix it.
"The science is clear – New Zealand’s fresh waters are under stress because of what we do in and around them.”
Sir Peter Gluckman
Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor
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WHERE THINGS STAND
Some rivers are in a good state. Others are not. Here are some facts.
WHERE THINGS STAND
Some rivers are in a good state. Others are not. Here are some facts.
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WHAT WE'RE DOING
We’re addressing the issues we have control over. So far, here’s what we have done.
WHAT WE'RE DOING
We’re addressing the issues we have control over. So far, here’s what we have done.
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OUR SIX COMMITMENTS
We’ve started to put things right. We want to do more. Here’s our plan.
OUR SIX COMMITMENTS
We’ve started to put things right. We want to do more. Here’s our plan.
WHERE THINGS STAND
Some rivers are in a good state.
Others have been compromised by agricultural intensification, urban expansion, and industrial pollution.
Here are some facts
E.coli Trends
(268 river sites)
Water Clarity Trends
(241 river sites)
Nitrogen & Phosphorus Trends
(175 river sites & 145 river sites)
- improving
- indeterminate
- worsening
MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND STATS NZ
"OUR FRESH WATER 2017" REPORT.
WHAT WE'VE DONE
We’ve been using the best available science and addressed the factors we have control over today.
Here’s what we’ve done.
of all significant waterways on farms are fenced to exclude cows
of farmers have nitrogen management reports, useful information that reduces the risk of leaching
litres of water is recycled or reused at our NZ manufacturing sites
water catchments will be regenerated
partnership with DOC called Living Water
invested in environmental initiatives by our farmers over the last five years
OUR SIX WAYS FORWARD
We’ve started to put things right and we want to do more. Here’s our plan for how we go forward.
Explore the issues
Bacteria
⦁ Riparian planting provides shade, shelter, and food for wildlife
⦁ Fencing keeps livestock away from 96% of our waterways
Bacteria
⦁ Riparian planting provides shade, shelter, and food for wildlife
⦁ Fencing keeps livestock away from 96% of our waterways
⦁ Tree and shrub roots filter Nitrogen from groundwater
Bacteria
⦁ Riparian planting provides shade, shelter, and food for wildlife
⦁ Fencing keeps livestock away from 96% of our waterways
⦁ Tree and shrub roots filter Nitrogen from groundwater
⦁ Shade from strategic trees and plants at the toe of the slope provide fish habitat and reduce algae growth
Bacteria
⦁ Riparian planting provides shade, shelter, and food for wildlife
⦁ Fencing keeps livestock away from 96% of our waterways
⦁ Tree and shrub roots filter Nitrogen from groundwater
⦁ Shade from strategic trees and plants at the toe of the slope provide fish habitat and reduce algae growth
Sediment
Fine sediment can suffocate fish and increased nutrients cause undesirable plants and algae to grow.
Sediment
⦁ Riparian planting provides shade, shelter, and food for wildlife
⦁ Fencing keeps livestock away from 96% of our waterways
Sediment
⦁ Riparian planting provides shade, shelter, and food for wildlife
⦁ Fencing keeps livestock away from 96% of our waterways
⦁ Tree and shrub roots filter Nitrogen and other pollutants from water run-off and reduces soil erosion
Sediment
⦁ Riparian planting provides shade, shelter, and food for wildlife
⦁ Fencing keeps livestock away from 96% of our waterways
⦁ Tree and shrub roots filter Nitrogen and other pollutants from water run-off and reduces soil erosion
⦁ Shade from strategic trees and plants at the toe of the slope provide fish habitat and prevent algae growth
Sediment
⦁ Riparian planting provides shade, shelter, and food for wildlife
⦁ Fencing keeps livestock away from 96% of our waterways
⦁ Tree and shrub roots filter Nitrogen and other pollutants from water run-off and reduces soil erosion
⦁ Shade from strategic trees and plants at the toe of the slope provide fish habitat and prevent algae growth
Nutrients
Nitrogen and Phosphorus from fertiliser pass over or through the soil and into the waterways.
Irrigation can increase the leaching of contaminants and reduce water levels in rivers and aquifers (groundwater).
Nutrients
Nitrogen and Phosphorus from fertiliser pass over or through the soil and into the waterways.
Irrigation can increase the leaching of contaminants and reduce water levels in rivers and aquifers (groundwater).
Nutrients
Soil moisture sensors tell farmers exactly when water will be absorbed by the soil minimising irrigation and leaching.
Riparian planting filters excess Nitrogen and Phosphorus before it reaches the waterways.
Nutrients
Soil moisture sensors tell farmers exactly when water will be absorbed by the soil minimising irrigation and leaching.
Riparian planting filters excess Nitrogen and Phosphorus before it reaches the waterways.
Nutrients
Soil moisture sensors tell farmers exactly when water will be absorbed by the soil minimising irrigation and leaching.
Riparian planting filters excess Nitrogen and Phosphorus before it reaches the waterways.
New Zealand's Total Consented Water Volume
Canterbury accounted for 64 percent of the total consented volume of water for irrigation