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.

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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    Water take and energy

    How do energy generation activities potentially influence water flows?

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    Instream barriers and energy

    How do instream barriers as a result of energy generation activities potentially influence water resources?

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    Infectious substances, meat and dairy

    What are the sources of infectious substances from the meat and dairy processing industry?

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    Infectious substances and urbanisation

     

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    Infectious substances and agriculture

    What are the sources of infectious substances from agriculture?

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    Water resources, meat and dairy

    How may the activities of the meat and dairy processing industry impact water resources?

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    Chemical contamination, meat and dairy

    What are the potential sources of chemical contamination from meat and dairy processing facilities?

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    Nutrients, meat and dairy

    What are the potential sources of nutrients from the meat and dairy processing industry?
    Freshwater quality

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    Water resources and wood processing

    How do wood processing activities potentially influence water flows?

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    Nutrients and wood processing

    What are the potential sources of nutrients from wood processing activities?
    Freshwater quality

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    Nutrients and aquaculture

    What are the potential sources of nutrients from aquaculture activities?
    Freshwater quality

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    Sediments and aquaculture

    How can aquaculture activities influence sediments in waterways?
    Freshwater quality