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

Go to the article

Research

Explore

Tools & Services

Explore

Contacts

View contacts

  • Link to source page

    Sediment tools

    More information about our sediment tools.

  • Link to source page

    Restoration tools

    More about our restoration tools.

  • Link to source page

    Catchment modelling

    We offer a range of catchment modelling services.

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Float your boat! Scientists use hi-tech miniature Q-boat to measure river flows

    News article
    18 June 2012
    Freshwater quality

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Robot spies make new science discoveries in Fiordland’s World Heritage Park

    News article
    10 April 2012

  • Link to source page

    Waikato River Independent Scoping Study (WRISS)

    Research Project
    NIWA is involved in research and consultation' aimed at improving the health of our freshwater systems.
    Freshwater quality

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Flyathalon - NIWA gives aquatic insects an obstacle course

    News article
    23 March 2012

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Restoring fish food

    Small native fish eat a range of benthic invertebrates in streams. The larvae of mayflies and caddisflies are the most important food species, with chironomids being important for juvenile fish and in streams where all other prey are scarce.
    Rivers
    Freshwater quality

  • Link to source page

    Lake Brunner water quality

    Research Project
    A project funded by West Coast Regional Council has increased our knowledge of the role of phosphorus in determining water quality in Lake Brunner.

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    In search of the giant kokopu

    Fisheries

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Lake assessment tool earns high honour for NIWA scientist

    News article
    21 October 2011
    John Clayton, a principal scientist in the fields of aquatic biodiversity and biosecurity based at NIWA's Hamilton office, has won a 2011 Kudos award for his leading role in the development of LakeSPI  (Lake Submerged Plant Indicators).
    Lakes

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Trout habitat mapping protocol

    Fisheries