Freshwater quality

Piharau/kanakana are an important mahinga kai species and a prized delicacy for many Māori.

How may forestry activities increase sediments in waterways?

How healthy is your stream? SHMAK - the New Zealand Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit - has been designed to help you find out.

References, further reading, and links to useful websites.

How can mining activities influence sediments in waterways?

Links to related resources and websites

Has a receding lower jaw and black spots behind the head.

How does urbanisation increase sediments in waterways?

An overview of what the SHMAK kit comprises, and various uses for it.

Smelt have a distinctly forked tail and a strong cucumber smell.

A range of physical and chemical variables are measured in the NRWQN.

Downloadable and printable guides on identification of common freshwater invertebrates found in New Zealand waterways and lakes.