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Water quality

New Zealand has a diverse range of aquatic environments from mountain springs to coastal estuaries, connected by an intricate network of rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries and groundwater systems.

Fresh water is essential for its power to provide life. Maori value water for this life-giving essence and also for its spiritually.

By world standards New Zealand’s freshwater bodies are of good quality. They support a unique array of flora and fauna and are highly regarded internationally for their recreational value.

However, water quality in urban and rural areas is degraded, and is coming under increasing pressure as land use intensifies. This has worrying implications for aquatic life, drinking water supplies, cultural values and water-based recreation.

This section of the site provides information on reports, monitoring, policy, regulation, projects, partnerships, guidelines and tools which relate to water quality.

On this page:

Environment reports

State of the environment reports present a national picture of the quality of our waterways, and how they are changing over time, see:Water in New Zealand

Policy and regulation

The Government’s Fresh Start for Fresh Water reform package was announced by Environment Minister Nick Smith and Agriculture Minister David Carter on 9 May 2011. The Fresh Start for Fresh Water reforms came out of the New Start for Fresh Water strategy which began in June 2009 (see Cabinet paper (PDF, 288 KB).

The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management is about ensuring there are clear limits to govern the allocation of fresh water and management of water quality.

The National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water will reduce the risk of contaminating drinking water sources such as rivers and groundwater.

The proposed National Environmental Standard for On-site Wastewater Systems has been withdrawn.  Further information can be found on the On-site wastewater systems page.

Projects and partnerships

The objective of the Joint Māori Work Programme is to enhance decision-making in freshwater management by having greater and more consistent Māori involvement and to incorporate Māori perspectives at the national and regional levels.

Lake Taupo’s water quality issues are being addressed through the jointly funded Lake Taupo Water Quality Protection Programme.

The Rotorua lakes have received $72.1 million commitment from the Crown to establish the Rotorua Lakes Restoration Action Programme.

The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord establishes water quality targets through a Government/Industry partnership.

The Sustainable Water Programme of Action (2003-2008) was a policy programme aimed at improving freshwater management under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).

A stakeholder-led collaborative process has been established under the Land and Water Forum. This will develop a shared understanding of the issues and big picture outcomes wanted for New Zealand, and options for achieving those outcomes.

Guidelines and tools

Ecological health – guidelines and tools - assist with the monitoring and management of the freshwater ecosystems of New Zealand including lakes, rivers, periphyton, macroinvertebrates and fish. They include the ANZECC water quality guidelines.

The Cultural Health Index allows iwi/hapū to assess the cultural and biological health of a stream or catchment of their choosing.  This information will assist those managing water such as regional councils.

Guidelines for managing waterways in rural areas help council staff and farm advisers improve their skills in managing their land.

A national protocol for state of the environment groundwater sampling in New Zealand provides a step-by-step protocol for the collection of groundwater samples.

The microbiological water quality guidelines for marine and freshwater recreational areas aim to assist councils/agencies to better inform their communities of the risks related to swimming at their bathing beaches.

“Surface water quality” provides best practice guidance to RMA practitioners on managing water quality and impacts on it under the Resource Management Act 1991 (on the quality planning website).

Further information

  • See the fresh water page for related reports, policies, regulations, projects, partnerships, guidelines and tools about fresh water.
  • For a full list of publications relating to water refer to the water publications page.

Links to other Ministry Resources

Last updated: 16 July 2009