Water Ministry for the Environment Environmental Issues Water Water Water resources and aquatic ecosystems are essential to the economy. They are also a significant part of our natural heritage and our recreational activities.
Water also has important practical and spiritual value for Maori.
Water quality, although generally high by world standards, varies considerably. New Zealand has substantial rainfall and an extensive lake and river system, but water is distributed very unevenly. 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. While high quality of fresh and coastal waters has major benefits, achieving it everywhere will incur considerable costs.