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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  • Link to source page

    Forecasting irrigation potential: a case study in the Waimakariri River catchment

    Research Project
    Farmers rely on irrigation, but water is a limited resource and little is know about how to manage it best. NIWA has developed a hydrology and soil science model to show how much to water, and when, to get the best results.

  • Link to source page

    Habitat requirements of New Zealand freshwater fish

    Research Project
    New Zealand's rivers and streams, and the diverse fish that live in them, are worth protecting. But the question of which species prefer to live where was unanswered until NIWA completed this major survey.

  • Link to source page

    Restoring Kōaro in the Rotorua lakes

    Research Project
    The kōaro was once abundant in the Te Arawa lakes near Rotorua in New Zealand’s North Island. NIWA has assessed the viability of restoring this species in the region.
    Fisheries
    Freshwater fish
    Freshwater restoration

  • Link to source page

    Sustainable management framework for Te Arawa Lakes customary fisheries

    Research Project
    NIWA and the Te Arawa Lakes Trust have developed a sustainable management framework for customary fisheries in Te Arawa lakes, as part of a joint 3 year research programme.