Data Limitations
Overview
Across New Zealand, large volumes of freshwater data are collected by government agencies, councils, researchers and industry. Yet this information is often siloed, fragmented and difficult to access. Data is typically gathered for separate purposes, with little coordination or sharing between organisations, leading to duplication, inefficiency and gaps in understanding.
Currently there is no single, trusted platform that brings together freshwater information in alignment with Ngāi Tahu priorities and values. Whānau and rūnanga-led projects are underrepresented in national databases, meaning valuable local knowledge and mātauranga are frequently overlooked.
Access to reliable, comprehensive freshwater data is essential to support informed decision-making, identify pressures on ecosystems and track environmental change over time. However, the lack of a consolidated picture of the freshwater environment limits the ability of Ngāi Tahu to lead research, support communities and drive systemic change.
This fragmentation makes it difficult to assess the true state of freshwater or evaluate whether policy and management actions are working.
A more connected, innovative, and data-driven approach is needed - one that treats environmental data as critical infrastructure for decision-making, kaitiakitanga, and the long-term wellbeing of freshwater.