A centre for collaboration
Water is New Zealand’s lifeblood. We need fresh water for drinking, washing, growing food, making electricity, and much, much more. We enjoy water as a focus for picnicking and fishing and just somewhere nice to be. But we are not alone in our need for water. New Zealand’s rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater systems are also home to a wonderful variety of ecological communities.
New Zealand faces some complex questions about water resources. Will there be shortages? Do we use water wisely? How do economic activities affect water quality and quantity? How do we balance economic benefits derived from water against social and environmental costs?
To help address these issues, NIWA has established the National Centre for Water Resources. The centre aims to bridge the gap between science and the community in the field of water resources by providing science, technology, and resource management services to New Zealand. The key role of the centre is to communicate.
The National Centre for Water Resources is based around several collaborative projects involving scientists from a growing collection of science organisations and other agencies, such as the Ministry for the Environment and regional and district councils. It will be a “virtual centre”, rather than a “bricks and mortar” entity. Principles of operation and objectives for the centre include:
- improving collaboration and cooperation between different organisations;
- using existing personnel, facilities, systems, and equipment;
- improving access to information;
- developing technologies that have simple and practical application (e.g., flood forecast warnings).
We will pay particular attention to issues that can only be addressed by involving a number of other entities (e.g., industry, iwi, councils, Government agencies). This will extend to national and international issues, particularly where there has been limited progress because organisations have been working in isolation.
The National Centre for Water Resources is an exciting new venture for us, and we look forward to working with you.
Rick Pridmore Deputy Chief Executive (Strategic Development)