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Use of New Zealand's allocated fresh water

In 2010, the majority of consumptive weekly allocations were for irrigation (46 per cent) and hydro generation (41 per cent). The remainder is shared among public drinking water supply, industry and stock watering. All of the volume for the hydro generation is for the Manapouri hydro take in Southland, which discharges the allocated fresh water to sea.

Use of allocated water in New Zealand, 2006

This pie chart shows what allocated water is used for:

  • Stock watering 2 per cent
  • Public drinking water supply 5 per cent
  • Industry 6 per cent
  • Irrigation 46 per cent
  • Manapouri hydro take 41 per cent

This information is from:
Update of Water Allocation data and Estimate of Actual Water Use of Consented takes 2009–10.

 

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Last updated: December 2010