Freshwater

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

  • Storm water drain

    Urban Runoff Quality Information System (URQIS)

    Service
    NIWA's Urban Runoff Quality Information System (URQIS) provides planners, engineers and researchers with information about the quality of stormwater from different locations and landuses and under different flow conditions.
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    NZ Freshwater Fish Database

    Software Tool/Resource
    The New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database (NZFFD) contains over 50,000 freshwater fish observations from across New Zealand from 1901 to the present.
  • eDNA research and services

    Service
    NIWA is active in a broad range of eDNA topics and can provide expert advice on applications and expected outcomes. We welcome inquiries into our services and can assist with experimental design.
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    Report: Trends analysis for selected indicators of Waikato River health and wellbeing 2010-2019

    Service
    Report: Trends analysis for selected indicators of Waikato River health and wellbeing 2010-2019
  • Taonga Species Series

    Service
    NIWA, through the MBIE-funded Cultural Keystone Species programme (2016-2020), have developed a series of iwi engagement booklets sharing science knowledge to support species management strategy.
  • LakeSPI: Keeping tabs on lake health

    Software Tool/Resource
    Few New Zealand lakes retain their indigenous vegetation, and the condition of many lakes is under threat from land-use changes and the invasion of alien aquatic plants.
  • Algal monitoring service

    Service
    Blooms of hazardous cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in rivers, lakes and reservoirs can cause problems for both animal and human health. How can you find out whether an algal bloom is potentially toxic?
  • Ecotoxicology services

    Service
    NIWA offers a range of standard toxicity tests for both freshwater and marine environments.
  • SHMAK

    Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit

    Service
    How healthy is your stream? SHMAK - the New Zealand Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit - has been designed to help you find out.
  • Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA)

    Service
    To prepare for changes in climate, our freshwater and oceans decision-makers need information on species vulnerability to climate change.
  • Biosecurity tools

    Software Tool/Resource
    Our biosecurity management tools include: assessment models, field surveys, management advice and the testing of control methods.
  • Specialist analytical services

    Service
    Find out more about our specialist analytical services.