Abundance of Fresh Water in 2023
In a bid to shed light on the state of Aotearoa New Zealand's freshwater environment, the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ have released two reports - "Environment Aotearoa 2022" and "Our freshwater 2023". These reports, part of their environmental reporting series, employ a unique approach, using the guiding framework of te kāhui o Matariki.
The reports underscore the challenges associated with environmental data collection, synthesis, and reporting. The state of Aotearoa New Zealand's freshwater ecosystems is variable, with around half of rivers and lakes showing moderate to severe issues due to pollution or nutrient enrichment. Some indigenous taonga freshwater species, such as kanakana/piharau and kaakahi, are threatened with extinction, and many others are at risk.
Poor water quality, pest plants and animals, and artificial structures like culverts can impact native ecosystems. Climate change further compounds these issues, affecting the amount of water in soils and the storage and flows of water in lakes, rivers, groundwater, and glaciers, and altering patterns of rainfall and droughts.
Some freshwater bodies are in a reasonably healthy state, but many have been degraded by excess nutrients, pathogens, and contaminants from land. This degradation can have far-reaching impacts, affecting the ability to maintain, develop, and transmit traditional Maori knowledge and tikanga Maori, and access mahinga kai.
The "Our freshwater 2023" report examines the most pressing issues on freshwater in Aotearoa New Zealand. It provides evidence to enable open and honest conversations about the choices made in managing and responding to the impacts of activities on freshwater environments. The institutions cooperating in the creation of this report are not explicitly mentioned in the available search results.
Freshwater environments are affected by pressures from human activities, including agriculture, urban expansion, and the discharge of urban wastewater. These activities can harm aquifers, making them unfit for drinking water use. Spending time in freshwater environments can provide wellbeing benefits, including reduced fatigue and stress, improved immune system function, and increased fitness.
Aotearoa New Zealand's freshwater environment supports various aspects of life, including the economy, recreation, and gathering food. However, its degradation can impact these sectors. For many Maori, the freshwater environment is central to tikanga Maori, maatauranga Maori, and mahinga kai.
Climate change is likely to shift the ranges of freshwater species, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Land use, such as irrigation and hydroelectric generation, can change river flows, increase nutrient leaching, alter the habitats of native species, and affect mahinga kai, recreation, and drinking water supplies.
The "Our land 2024" report, another part of the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ reporting series, focuses on the impacts of land use. Stats NZ and the Ministry for the Environment report on different aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand's environment every 6 months, and the reports can be accessed on their websites.
In te ao Maori, different water bodies have associated taonga species and kaitiaki that protect the mauri of the wai. The health risks associated with contaminated drinking water and toxic algal blooms are real concerns. Freshwater environments are a holistic system that connects landscapes, ecosystems, and people.
Aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand's economic wellbeing are linked to the environment, including infrastructure, effects of flooding and droughts in urban and rural areas. The freshwater environment is under pressure from human activities and a changing climate, but with informed decisions and concerted efforts, it can be protected and restored.
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