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Water

Water resources and aquatic ecosystems are essential to New Zealand’s economy. They are also a significant part of our natural heritage, our recreational activities, and of particular practical and spiritual value for Māori.

Water quality in New Zealand, although generally high by world standards, varies considerably. Substantial rainfall feeds an extensive lake and river system, but freshwater is distributed very unevenly across the country. In some places water is plentiful, but in other areas demands sometimes cannot be met.

The best sites for hydro-electric power schemes are already used and developing most remaining sites would conflict with other uses. The quality of our coastal marine environment is highly variable too, with less than 0.1% of our marine environment currently protected, compared with 30% of our land area.

Land-use intensification is placing even greater pressure on both the marine and freshwater environments, which support some of our most important ecosystems and much of New Zealand’s biodiversity.

Plentiful, clean water is part of New Zealand's heritage. Managing our waters to make sure they stay that way – or are restored to this state – is a task for all of us. The Government's Sustainable Water Programme of Action will examine all aspects of water – cultural, economic, environmental and social.

WELS, or Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme will help New Zealanders save water. The scheme involves attaching a label, which indicates both water efficiency and consumption, on to common water-consuming products. We aim to have the scheme fully implemented by July 2009.

Water Conservation Orders may be applied over rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, wetlands, geothermal water or aquifers. These orders aim to recognise the outstanding amenity or intrinsic values waters provide, in either a natural or modified state.