Freshwater Data Through a Ngāi Tahu Lens

This map demonstrates how environmental information can be viewed through a Ngāi Tahu lens. It brings together marae locations, freshwater bodies identified in the Ngāi Tahu Freshwater Statement of Claim, and modelled river nitrogen data from New Zealand's national river water quality reporting.

The map shows estimated nitrogen levels along New Zealand's rivers, based on data from monitored sites across the country. This information has been reclassified using Ngāi Tahu freshwater outcome categories, showing how publicly available environmental data can be interpreted alongside places o significance to Ngāi Tahu.

Nitrogen matters because too much of it in rivers harms freshwater ecosystems. It fuels algal growth, degrades habitat and, at high levels, can be toxic to aquatic life. Elevated nitrogen in waterways is largely driven by land use, particularly intensive agriculture. You can read more about the impacts on freshwater in our Freshwater Health page.

Viewing these datasets together shows how freshwater condition connects to the places Ngāi Tahu care about across the takiwā. This map is only a starting point. Ngāi Tahu envisage a future where freshwater information is brought together to reflect our values,tell the story of our waterways, and support rangatiratanga over wai for generations to come.

Source: Stats NZ, using data from Earth Sciences NZ.