Farming is central to New Zealand’s economy, but how we are farming is having an impact on our lowland freshwater ecosystems.

Our streams, lakes, rivers, lagoons and coastal estuaries are being impacted by high levels of nutrients, sediment, effluent and other contaminants. Freshwater ecosystems have been reduced and degraded.

This needs to change because healthy water is critical for our economic development and New Zealanders expect to be able to swim, fish and gather kai in our lakes, rivers and streams.

Fonterra and the Department of Conservation recognised that New Zealand’s economic, cultural and social wellbeing depends on healthy ecosystems. That’s why they joined forces to respond to the farming and freshwater challenge.

Living Water designed and trialled solutions to improve freshwater ecosystems and encourage sustainable farming in five catchments.

Living Water built connections that delivered better outcomes for the environment, the economy and New Zealanders.

Living Water championed change. By changing how we think about the challenge, changing how we work together to solve problems, and changing how we implement solutions.

Living Water worked with others, co-designing the solutions, trying them out in five catchments, and sharing the results with organisations, farmers and interested individuals across Aotearoa New Zealand.