Water
Government insists its trying to clean up waterways with new focus on swimmability
The Government's plan to clean up waterways is weaker than the standards it is set to replace, according to an official report released today. Chris Bramwell reports. Audio
Drilling to begin to access Wellington's undersea freshwater
A barge is about to begin drilling in Wellington harbour in a first-ever attempt to find fresh water below the seabed.
Farmers 'dead keen' to improve water practices - council
A group of farmers near Whakatāne are working with the regional council to try and improve water quality by changing the way they farm.
Teens to test plankton on Nelson-to-Fiji voyage
A group of sea cadets - boys and girls aged 13 to 18 - will sail from Nelson to Fiji on a 20m yacht to provide aid and collect plankton for international researchers.
Westport told to save water
Residents and businesses in Westport and Carters Beach have been asked to cut back on using water after the failure of part of the supply network.
Selwyn residents back rebel regional councillor
Last month the chair of a Canterbury Regional Council water committee controversially complained about the newly-elected councillor Lan Pham. Audio
Shellfish collection bans for Waikato
Potentially deadly shellfish has prompted the government to ban people from collecting in some areas near Waikato River.
Reduce dairy cow number to stop water harm - ecologist
A minister's remark that the intensification of dairy farming can't go on is decades too late, says ecologist Mike Joy.
NZ needs to act now on rivers, top official warns
New Zealand cannot afford to wait to address problems with fresh water, the head of the Ministry for the Environment says. Audio
Action urgently needed on polluted waterways - Secretary for the Environment
A landmark report has found the country's waterways are under increasing threat from intensive farming and growing towns and cities. Audio
Landmark report finds freshwater at risk
Nitrogen levels have got worse in more than half the rivers monitored by environment officials, the government's first dedicated freshwater report shows.
Freshwater scientists confused by clean water package
Freshwater scientists say the government's clean water package is a let down and it's aim to improve swimmability is confusing even for them, as Kate Gudsell reports. Audio
Water Fools? - The river is me
Water pollution is seen as an environmental issue for Pākehā but, as Leigh Marama McLachlan discovered, it's causing spiritual and cultural harm in Māori communities.
Southern lakes need protection from urban development
Local councils and water scientists are fighting a race against time to protect Lake Wakatipu and Lake Wanaka's pristine waters from urban runoff. Audio
Farmers trying novel way to reduce environmental damage
Canterbury dairy farmers are trialling injecting freshwater back into aquifiers in a part of the plains with high nitrate levels. Video, Audio
Water Fools? - Worry in Waihora
Pollution in Canterbury's waterways is set to nearly double. RNZ's new series Water Fools? investigates what's driving the change.
New Zealand's waterways are under stress
A report done by the PM's chief scientist has found many waterways have passed a tipping point and might never get back to their original state. Sir Peter Gluckman found that agriculture is the main… Audio
Some waterways will take 'more than a century' to recover
Environment Minister Nick Smith describes the report as fair and robust. He doesn't take any "negative spin" from it but says it shows our river pollution isn't a problem that arose yesterday and will… Audio
Some waterways beyond tipping point - Sir Peter Gluckman
The Prime Minister's chief scientist, Sir Peter Gluckman, has highlighted harsh realities about the state of New Zealand's fresh water in a new report. Audio
Auckland water shortage crisis over
Auckland's water supplier is now confident it can meet the city's demand and is ending calls for residents to conserve water.
