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
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