Skip to this page's content Skip to access keys
Go to home page [Ministry for the Environment]

Home | Contact us | Related links | Site map
Working
with you		 | The
issues		 | Laws and
treaties		 | State of the
environment		 | Publications | About the
Ministry

You are here: The issues Contains: Water Contains:

Freshwater

New Zealand has an extensive network of high-quality freshwater systems including mountain streams, braided and meandering rivers, lakes and groundwater resources.

The relative abundance of these resources is due to prevailing westerly winds, which bring moisture-laden air to eastern parts of the country.

Demands on this resource are increasing as the number and extent of various land uses grow. Among the greatest impacts are hydroelectric power generation, agriculture and horticulture.

Ensuring there is sufficient water to meet the needs of all users, including for recreational activities, is central to the sustainable management of the freshwater resource. Water quality is also under threat from land-use intensification, which has implications for drinking water supplies, recreational users and stock water drinking supplies.

The Ministry is working with other central and local government agencies to achieve the sustainable use of New Zealand’s freshwater resources. Current work programmes include: