1 Introduction
1.1 Background
Recreation based around freshwater is a significant part of the New Zealand way of life. In a recent survey (BRC, 2004b), 79% of New Zealanders identified themselves as recreational users of freshwater.
However, recreational use of freshwater has not been widely studied at a national level. One survey identified only four significant reports completed since the mid-1990s (APR Consultants, 2003), although there were several comprehensive, national-level studies conducted during the 1980s focusing on recreational potential (Egarr and Egarr, 1981; National Water and Soil Conservation Organisation, 1982).
1.2 Purpose
The Water Programme of Action, co-ordinated by the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, is a project aimed at examining how we should fairly use, protect and preserve water. One of the three major components of the Water Programme of Action is to identify water bodies of national importance (WoNI). The overall aims are to:
- look at how to identify water bodies of national importance for a range of values, including natural heritage, recreation, cultural and historic heritage, irrigation, energy, industry and domestic use, and tourism
- compile a list of freshwater bodies for each of the values identified above
- secure nationally important natural, economic, social and cultural values of water bodies.
The purpose of this report is to identify potential freshwater bodies of national importance for recreation value. The main objectives of this project are to:
- develop a methodology to identify potential freshwater bodies of national importance for recreation
- compile a list of potential freshwater bodies for recreation.
1.3 Scope
This report, alongside the other reports for each of the seven water bodies of national importance sub-projects, is intended to provide a starting point for you to provide us with feedback on how on identify freshwater bodies that are nationally important for recreation.
Recreation means different things to different people. Our study includes all forms of recreation in and around whole or parts of freshwater lakes, rivers and wetlands where freshwater is important for recreational activity. It does not cover estuaries, ocean beaches or saltwater lakes, although we have included some freshwater-influenced estuaries if they are identified as closed off from the sea. This report does not cover areas of importance for commercial fisheries or customary fishing.
Appendix 2 lists the names of recreational organisations contacted, which indicates the types of recreation for which we specifically sought information.
