Water conservation order

A water conservation order is a legal ruling to protect aspects of water bodies. It may be to protect the quantity of the water itself or for any issues relating to the water body as a whole.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, a Water Conservation Order is used to protect the natural, cultural and recreational values of any water body.^[1]

There are currently 14 separate Water Conservation Orders:^[2]

• Motu River
• Rakaia River
• Lake Wairarapa
• Manganuioteao River
• Lake Ellesmere
• Ahuriri River
• Grey River
• Rangitikei River
• Kawarau River
• Mataura River
• Buller River
• Motueka River
• Mohaka River
• Rangitata River

A water conservation order has been proposed for the Hurunui River in the South Island.

Irrigation New Zealand, the national body representing agricultural irrigators and the irrigation industry, opposes water conservation orders. Irrigation NZ considers they no longer have relevance, they lock up the water resource and they may bankrupt the nation.^[3]

References

1. Part 9 of the Resource Management Act 1991
2. "Water conservation orders". Ministry for the Environment.
3. "Water Conservation Orders Have No Role In Sustainable Future" (Press release). Irrigation NZ. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.

External links

• Water Conservation Orders New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association web pages describing New Zealand water conservation orders.
• Water Conservation Orders Environmental Defence Society RMA Guide web page.