Freshwater

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

Rachel Crawford and Paul Franklin inspecting a fish passage on the Waikato River.

Freshwater and Estuaries Update

A seasonal review and outlook for New Zealand's water resources, and an update on NIWA's freshwater research

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    Temperature changes

    Temperature affects the number and type of animals and plants that live in a waterway.
    Freshwater quality

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    Estuaries

    Education Resource
    An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water formed where freshwater from the land meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean.
    Freshwater

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    NZ Freshwater Fish Database Help

    Learn how to use the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database (NZFFD)
    Fisheries
    Freshwater fish

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    Tuna - habitat

    Tuna are found in all sorts of habitats (places), including coastal estuaries, lakes, wetlands, rivers, mountain streams and even alpine tarns.
    Freshwater fish

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    Freshwater monitoring and reporting

    Research Project
    NIWA's research on freshwater monitoring and reporting is one of three research areas within the 'Values, Monitoring and Outcomes' (VMO) programme led by Landcare Research.
    Environmental Information
    Freshwater
    Freshwater pollution

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    Riparian management classification

    Management of stream riparian areas - including vegetation and stock access - influences the health of streams and downstream water bodies.
    Floods

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    Nutrient overloading

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

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    Proud of your plants? 1 June 2017

    News article
    01 June 2017
    NIWA is doing a nationwide study to discover what makes the best riparian projects. Help us give you the knowledge to make the best riparian management decisions possible by taking our 5 minute survey.
    Rivers
    Freshwater quality

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    Mangroves: to clear or not to clear?

    Media release
    19 May 2017
    NIWA scientists have written a guide for managing mangroves, prompted by a desire for people to learn more about mangrove ecosystems, and what happens when they are removed.
    Estuaries
    Mangroves

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    NIWA Technical Background report for MfE “Clean Water” Swimmability Proposals for Rivers

    News article
    11 May 2017
    NIWA provides technical background information on "Clean Water" swimmability proposals.
    Freshwater quality

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    Paradise for eels? Getting to know the secrets of NZ's new icon

    Feature story
    09 May 2017
    As New Zealand's "Mr Eel", Niwa's Dr Don Jellyman has heard every tall tale. And some of them may be true.
    Estuaries
    Fisheries

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    Wetlands

    Wetland species and wetland management in New Zealand.
    Wetlands