In New Zealand it is increasingly recognised, including by government, that water resource
allocation and water quality are issues of national importance. Agriculture is frequently
portrayed by public media as a major user of water and a major contributor to worsening
water quality. We outline the water management systems in New Zealand, and the use of
water by agriculture. Official reports on agriculture’s impact on New Zealand water
availability and quality are summarised. We report how the New Zealand public perceive
water, its management and the roles of agriculture in water issues. Data from a nationwide
mail survey were analysed to determine how New Zealanders assess the state of New Zealand
lakes, rivers and streams and aquifers, the performance of three agencies responsible for
management of freshwater resources and willingness to fund stream enhancement. We
provide brief explanations for the failures of water resource management in New Zealand and
report on options, including community-based responses that might address some of the
mounting public, scientific and government concerns about trends in water quantity and
quality. A willingness to pay proposition, concerning riparian areas, included in the
nationwide survey provides some evidence that the public are willing to pay for improved
waterway management. Relevant non-market valuation studies indicate that the public
places considerable value on preservation values of water in New Zealand.[Show full abstract]
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