Water Quality

Latest news

The future shape of water

11 February 2021

How much is too much? Susan Pepperell looks at some of the tough decisions looming around access to freshwater and how science is helping with solutions.

Freshwater species show vulnerability to climate change

Media Release

15 September 2020

A new study has identified seven freshwater species native to Aotearoa-New Zealand that will likely be highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change.

NIWA's underwater health check

Feature story

13 June 2019

At the bottom of our lakes are NIWA divers with waterproof clipboards. Sarah Fraser jumps in to find out what they’re doing.

Environment report a clear picture of change: NIWA

Media Release

18 April 2019

The latest state of the environment report released today provides New Zealanders with clear evidence that our climate, freshwater and marine systems are changing, says NIWA.

Our work

Ngā Kete o te Wānanga: Mātauranga, Science and Freshwater Management

New Zealand’s freshwater and estuarine resources provide significant cultural, economic, social, and environmental benefits. Competition for the use of these resources is intensifying, and many rivers, lakes and estuaries are now degraded.

Maniapoto Cultural Assessment Framework

Maniapoto Māori Trust Board and NIWA worked collaboratively during 2018-19 to support Ngāti Maniapoto whānau to reconnect with and participate in the assessment of their freshwater according to their values.

Eutrophication Risk Assessment

Eutrophication occurs when nutrients in streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries cause excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae (primary producers).

Waikato River Independent Scoping Study (WRISS)

Many of New Zealand's aquatic ecosystems, and their services, are in a degraded and often worsening state. NIWA is involved in research and consultation' aimed at improving the health of our freshwater systems.

Latest videos

SHMAK habitat - rubbish

The SHMAK method for rubbish involves collecting and identifying all the rubbish (litter) in the stream and on the stream banks.

SHMAK habitat – visual habitat assessment

The SHMAK visual habitat assessment gives your stream a score that you can use to assess changes over time or compare streams.

SHMAK habitat – streambed composition

Two methods for describing streambed composition: the visual assessment method is quicker while the Wolman walk is more accurate.

SHMAK stream life – how to sort and identify your benthic macroinvertebrate sample

Use an ice-cream tray to isolate and separate your invertebrates. The Benthic Macroinvertebrate Field Guide helps you with identification.

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.

Measuring copper and zinc in urban waterways

New Zealand’s population is increasingly urban. As of 2018, major urban areas in Aotearoa accounted for more than half of the population. As the population grows and urban development expands and intensifies, freshwater environments in urban areas are coming under increasing pressure.

The future shape of water

Feature story

11 February 2021

How much is too much? Susan Pepperell looks at some of the tough decisions looming around access to freshwater and how science is helping with solutions.

Eutrophication Explorer

A web application tool to explore monitoring data and model predictions related to stream and estuary eutrophication

New freshwater species programme

A new programme at NIWA will focus on finding ways to protect our freshwater species now and in the future.

Updated freshwater pests guide out now

NIWA has updated its guide to freshwater pests for the first time since 2013.

Staff profile: Dr Simon Woodward

In this edition we welcome Dr Simon Woodward to the team and find out how he came to work at NIWA.

Freshwater species show vulnerability to climate change

Media Release

15 September 2020

A new study has identified seven freshwater species native to Aotearoa-New Zealand that will likely be highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change.

Maniapoto Cultural Assessment Framework

Maniapoto Māori Trust Board and NIWA worked collaboratively during 2018-19 to support Ngāti Maniapoto whānau to reconnect with and participate in the assessment of their freshwater according to their values.

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA)

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

Eutrophication Risk Assessment

Eutrophication occurs when nutrients in streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries cause excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae (primary producers).

Constructed wetland guidelines

Constructed wetlands are a water quality restoration tool that can reduce levels of sediment, nutrients and microbes such as E. coli.

Can mussels help to restore our lakes?

A project to explore whether kākahi (native freshwater mussels) can be used to help clean up New Zealand lakes has taken a step forward, with the launch of bioremediation rafts in Lake Ohinewai in the Waikato.

From land to sea – tracing our trash

NIWA and the Sustainable Coastlines charitable organisation are collaborating to develop ‘source-to-sea’ methods to trace the movement of litter from stormwater systems, through rivers, to coastlines.

Lagarosiphon be gone

An underwater invader recently brought key agencies and organisations including Land Information New Zealand, NIWA, Otago Regional Council, Boffa Miskell, Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries, Fish and Game and Lake Guardians, together in Wanaka.