Freshwater quality

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

Tuna or freshwater eels are a very significant, widely-valued, heavily-exploited, culturally iconic mahinga kai resource.

How do nutrients from wastewater treatment enter waterways?

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a relative measure of the amount of oxygen (O2) dissolved in water.

NIWA provides national capabilities in Water Quality Monitoring.

A high proportion of New Zealand’s native freshwater fish fauna need to migrate to and from the sea.

Nutrients in waterways are essential for the growth of algae and aquatic plants but too much can destroy an ecosystem.

In Kaitiaki Tools the term mahinga kai generally refers to indigenous freshwater species that have traditionally been used as food, tools, or other resources.

Waterways can easily become contaminated by pathogens when effluent is discharged nearby.