Freshwater resources in New Zealand are in crisis. Our rivers and lakes face multiple pressures: increased pollution from agriculture, horticulture and sewerage; and increased demand from irrigation, industry and urban use.

Water quality is declining across the country and some rivers and streams have even dried up. Effluent run-off from industrial dairying has rendered most of our lowland rivers and lakes unsafe for swimming. Our last remaining wild rivers are under threat from irrigation and hydro dams.

It's no wonder New Zealanders perceive water to be our #1 environmental issue!

Take Russel to the river!

You can help by telling us about any water pollution you spot when you're out and about, ideally with a photo. Send your update to Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman who leads our clean water campaign.

Email: russel [dot] norman [at] parliament [dot] govt [dot] nz.

Look local

The Ministry for the Environment recently released three league tables ranking water quality in New Zealand's major rivers. This is the first time data like this has been released. See how rivers near you fare, and if you don't like what you see, contact your local MP or council.

The Green Party believes that water is a taonga and a public good. To that end, all water use must be sustainable and water conservation encouraged. Water extraction should not exceed the natural rate of replenishment, and water management must be on an integrated catchment basis extending from the mountains to the sea.

New Zealand's rivers need to be clean, sustainably managed, and fairly shared with other species. And it's not just rivers and lakes. Our ground water aquifers are also diminishing in quantity and quality threatening some of the pure drinking water our citizens depend on. Waterways and public drinking water supplies are inadequately protected from the impacts of intensive land use. Rates of infection from waterborne diseases are far too high and pose a significant public health risk.

Read our water policy

Check the water quality of rivers near you

Our last remaining wild rivers are under threat from irrigation and hydro dams. If you like fishing, kayaking, whitebaiting, whitewater rafting, tramping, or just knowing there are pristine wild rivers flowing all over New Zealand, take action now to save them! Two wild rivers under threat right now are the Hurunui and Mokihinui.

Read more about our campaign to save the Hurunui

Read more about our campaign to save the Mokihinui