About Living Rivers
Most New Zealanders will fish, swim or kayak on our rivers at some time in their lives. Many thousands regularly visit the rivers. New Zealanders also want to know that the fish and birds that rely on our rivers are looked after.
Yet although clean and healthy rivers are a big part of the New Zealand way of life, not enough is being done to protect rivers from pollution and damage. Most lowland streams and rivers are too polluted for safe swimming. The Ministry of Economic Development has identified 65 rivers where they think big hydroelectric schemes are likely to be built over the next 20 years. The third Annual Report on implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy warned that native freshwater species could go extinct.
Living Rivers is a coalition of four national NGOs with a passion for New Zealand’s rivers. We want to ensure that New Zealand’s rivers are clean and healthy for the benefit of nature and the many thousands of New Zealanders who enjoy recreation on the rivers.
Our main goals are to:
- Gain more Water Conservation Orders to protect rivers
- Clean up degraded and polluted rivers
- Improve public access to rivers
- Prevent major infrastructure projects from destroying rivers
- Encourage greater appreciation of rivers
© Living Rivers Coalition 2004. All rights reserved.