Estuaries

Ngā Waihotanga Iho - The Estuary Monitoring Toolkit

The main purpose of Ngā Waihotanga Iho is to provide tools for the public to measure environmental changes that occur in estuaries over time. These changes may occur due to natural processes and/or human activities. Ngā Waihotanga Iho is divided into six modules, each monitoring different aspects of your estuary.

Restoration of aquatic ecosystems

This project aims to increase our knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and their restoration, and apply this to degraded streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries.

Freshwater Update 76, March 2018

Freshwater Update 76 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries Centre, with articles ranging from spring and river water condition to urban waters, didymo and aquatic plant scientists.

The New Zealand Estuary Trophic Index

Excessive nutrient input (eutrophication) threatens many New Zealand estuaries causing ecological problems, such as algal blooms and poor physical and chemical conditions for estuarine life.

Compound Specific Stable Isotope tracing of sediment sources - tools to manage a sticky problem in New Zealand’s freshwaters and estuaries

Fine sediment is New Zealand’s most widespread water contaminant, degrading ecosystems, infilling dams and reservoirs and impairing recreational, cultural and aesthetic values in our rivers, estuaries and coastal seas.

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.

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

Feature story
9 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.

Toolkit development

A number of individuals, organisations and hapū have contributed to the development of Ngā Waihotanga Iho.

Getting started

This section outlines some practical matters you need to consider before using any of the modules.

Managing mangrove expansion

This manual aims to provide the guidance needed to manage mangrove expansion, while maintaining the ecological integrity of estuaries and harbours.

Muddy sinks

Feature story
22 February 2017

New Zealand’s mangrove swamps and coastal marshes may be particularly adept at absorbing and storing the carbon we emit.

Monitoring and maintenance of kōura

Once you have identified the problem, and applied the necessary tools for restoring kōura to your stream, the next phase of your project is to monitor the site to see whether restoration works.

Applying the right tools to restore kōura to lakes and streams

The tools available for restoring kōura to lakes and streams depend on what is causing kōura to decline.

Why are kōura rare or absent in your waterway?

Habitat and biological factors factors affect why kōura rare or absent in your waterway.

Are kōura present in your waterway?

First, determine if kōura should be present in your stream.

Identifying the problem for kōura

Identifying the factors causing kōura numbers to decline will allow you to determine which restoration tools you need to employ.

Guide to restoring kōura (freshwater crayfish) in lakes, rivers and streams

Habitat degradation and the introduction of exotic plant and fish species have adversely affected kōura populations throughout New Zealand. However, there are a number of measures that we can use to restore kōura populations in lakes, rivers and streams.

Citizen science monitoring of water a win-win, research shows

Media Release
12 December 2016
New research has revealed that citizen science monitoring of water is a win-win for scientists and volunteers—one gains access to new data, and the other the skills and confidence to become involved in discussions over what is happening to their streams.

Historical changes in juvenile fish habitats

NIWA is looking for people who have had a long association with the Hauraki Gulf or Marlborough Sounds to help them with a research project on juvenile fish habitats.

Warriors of the harbour: restoring estuarine health

Feature story
15 November 2016
Iwi has joined forces with councils and NIWA to restore an estuarine ecosystem to its former health.

Freshwater Update 71, November 2016

Freshwater Update 71 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries centre, including stories about: the implications of climate change on our freshwater; blocking nature to nuture a lake ecosystem; nine new freshwater and estuaries research programmes; and all about a co-development workshop for freshwaters.

Estuary origins

In comparison to the vast span of geological time, the estuaries that we see today are very recent coastal features.

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