On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Freshwater

We provide public information on river, lake, and groundwater conditions across New Zealand including freshwater quantity and quality.

  • Guidelines for sampling freshwater fisheries

    We have prepared a breakdown of the different guidelines that are available for sampling freshwater fisheries. The overview provides links to key documents that explain what should be considered when designing fish monitoring studies and how to implement the various sampling techniques.
  • Mining

    Mining is the extraction of metal and mineral resources, such as gold, coal, petroleum, and ironsand
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    Impacts of water dams

    What are the impacts of water dams on water quality and mahinga kai?
  • Q&A - Bloomin' algae!

    Feature story
    A hot and steamy summer saw Kiwis heading down to rivers and lakes to cool off. But they weren’t the only ones enjoying the warmer weather – algae had a great time too.
  • Tuna information resource

    Tuna, or freshwater eels, are the most widespread freshwater fish in New Zealand. This 'living' educational resource summarises a large amount of scientific and technical literature.
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    Overview of SHMAK

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

    Wood chips and plant material make pulp that is used to produce paper products.
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    Water Quality Monitoring Capabilities

    Research Project
    NIWA provides national capabilities in Water Quality Monitoring.
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    Mining activities

    A range of different mining techniques have been developed to obtain these valuable resources
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    Giant kōkopu

    The largest member of the Galaxiidae family.
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    Tuna - life cycle and leptocephalii

    Freshwater eels have an unusual life cycle which sees them travelling between the ocean, estuaries and freshwaters.
  • Hydro

    Hydro-electricity is a renewable energy source that relies on the inflow of water into storage lakes upstream of a dam.