Looking after your waterways, wetlands and lakes

Before water flows out to the sea, it goes through a network of waterways including:

• the surrounding riparian vegetation that intercepts contaminants and sediment
• lakes that store sediment
• wetlands that cleanse water flowing from rural and urban land use.

This hydrological network provides fresh water to drink, storage of water during flooding, habitat for native freshwater and terrestrial wildlife and ensures our marine environment remains healthy.

Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland's freshwater environments also have significant recreational and cultural value. 

Remember to always check for wāhi tapu (sacred place) and other cultural heritage sites. Our resources below will help you find out how to protect and enhance freshwater habitats for plants and animals.

Start with these resources

Our freshwater crisis

Our waterways are in a dire state. The Million Metres Stream Project outlines the state of our waterways in New Zealand and what restoration projects need your support.

Why freshwater matters

Find out why protecting freshwater values is so important.

The importance of wetlands

Wetlands form a vital link between land and water. Understand the important role wetlands play.

PDF download 364 KB

Stream ecosystems

A practical guide for protecting, enhancing and restoring riparian areas in the Auckland region.

Wetland Restoration. A handbook for New Zealand freshwater systems

Wetland Restoration: A Handbook for New Zealand Freshwater Systems brings together expertise from specialists and groups actively engaged in restoring wetlands throughout the country.

Caring for waterways

Freshwater pest species of New Zealand

Information on pest freshwater fish, invertebrates and plants in Aotearoa / New Zealand.

Freshwater pests

Information about what central government is doing to prevent the spread of freshwater pests and diseases.

Caring for urban streams guide 5 - stream life

A guide by Auckland Council on how to improve biodiversity of urban streams.

PDF download 5.67 MB

Stormwater Management Devices in the Auckland Region (GD01)

These guidelines provide detailed design considerations aligned with the Auckland Council philosophy of stormwater management to achieve a resilient and sustainable outcome under the principles of water sensitive design (WSD).

PDF download 15 MB

Water Sensitive Design for Stormwater (GD04)

This Auckland Council document provides guidance for the application of water sensitive design (WSD) to land use planning and land development, with a specific focus on stormwater and freshwater management.

PDF download 37 MB

Erosion and Sediment Control Guide for Land Disturbing Activities in the Auckland Region

An Auckland Council guide providing technical guidance for the selection, design and use of erosion and sediment control (ESC) practices and measures for land-disturbing activities in an Auckland context.

PDF download 20 MB

Getting riparian planting right in Auckland

Dairy NZ's step-by-step guide to successful riparian planting in Auckland.

PDF download 1.25 MB

Stream protection for biodiversity

Learn about the benefits that streams have on farms, how to provide for fish passage and how to protect fish habitat.

Freshwater habitat restoration

Freshwater restoration case studies from around New Zealand.

Managing waterways on farms

A guide to sustainable water and riparian management in rural New Zealand.

PDF download 4.51 MB

Riparian planner

Dairy NZ's online tool gives guidance for rural properties on creating a riparian management plan to fence, plant and protect waterways.

Clean streams

A guide to riparian management in Northland.

PDF download 928 KB

Million Metres Stream Project

Help put life back into our streams by finding a project and donating. Crowdfund your conservation project to improve the water quality and biodiversity of your local waterway.

Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit (SHAMK)

This kit gives landowners, iwi, schools and community groups simple, scientifically-sound tools and resources required to monitor the ecological health of New Zealand’s streams.

Indicators for monitoring the ecological success of stream restoration

Find out about a range of indicators used for monitoring the success the stream restoration projects in New Zealand.

PDF download 2.29 MB

Te reo o te repo – kei konei tonu au: The Voice of the Wetland – I am still here

Te Reo o Te Repo – Kei konei tonu au: The Voice of the Wetland – I am still here is the second volume of the Te Reo o Te Repo cultural wetland handbook series published by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research

Te reo o te repo: The voice of the wetland

Te Reo o Te Repo – the Voice of the Wetland is an online wetland handbook created collaboratively between the Waikato Raupatu River Trust and Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research.

Maintaining fish passage

The New Zealand fish passage guidelines

Guidelines to set the foundation for improved fish passage management in New Zealand.

Caring for urban streams guide 6 - fish passage

This guide outlines the importance of maintaining fish passage in the urban environment and highlights some solutions.

PDF download 3.15 MB

Fish passage management

An overview of why maintaining fish passage is so important, the common barriers and steps to manage fish passage.

The New Zealand national fish passage guidelines: Rising to the challenge of reconnecting our waterways

A presentation on the need for New Zealand fish passage standards and guidelines.

Caring for wetlands and lakes

Wetlands monitoring and assessment kit

WETMAK is an online resource by NZ Landcare Trust for community groups to monitor wetland restoration projects.

Our wetland restoration plan

A restoration plan template for wetlands created by Waikato Regional Council.

Wetland restoration

A handbook for New Zealand Freshwater Systems bringing together expertise from specialists and groups actively engaged in restoring wetlands throughout the country.

Wetland habitats

Learn about wetlands, including common threats to our wetlands.

Wetlands campaign

Our wetlands are in crisis and need your help. Find out what Forest and Bird and doing and how you can support them.

Media release: New Zealand's wetlands remain at risk on private land

A media release from February 2020 about the loss of wetlands on private land across New Zealand, including statistics on damage to Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland's wetlands.

National Wetland Trust of New Zealand

A trust that aims to increase knowledge, appreciation and understanding of wetlands.

Wetland restoration guide

Restoration guidance on creating or restoring a wetland.

PDF download 1.4 MB

Wetlands protection guide

Get support on restoring wetlands, and find out what to plant on your land.

Guide to Auckland's wetlands

Discover a world of wonderful wet places, where you can enjoy the natural beauty of our region’s wetlands.

PDF download 2 MB

Fact sheets, Lake Ecosystem Research New Zealand

A series of studies and guides to improve understanding on how lakes respond to pressures, and ways to manage and restore lakes.

Wetland Restoration. A handbook for New Zealand freshwater systems

Wetland Restoration: A Handbook for New Zealand Freshwater Systems brings together expertise from specialists and groups actively engaged in restoring wetlands throughout the country.