Integrated Water Resource Management in New Zealand: Legislative Framework and Implementation

Abstract

A brief overview of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in New Zealand is presented, covering the legislative framework and implementation. Two examples are discussed: wet weather quality management in the Auckland Region and water allocation in the Otago Region (Figure 1). It will be shown that a strong legislative framework and territorial organization exist in New Zealand to facilitate IWRM. Translating the framework into actions that support multiple objective IWRM goals remains the current challenge. IWRM is a process or means to achieve sustainable water use and sustainable water resource systems. Sustainable water use and sustainable water resource systems support social objectives into the indefinite future without undermining hydrologic and ecological integrity (Gleick et al. 1995; American Society of Civil Engineers and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization 1998). IWRM is best achieved at the river basin or catchment scale – that is at scales comprised of hydrologic drainage basins or subbasins. Cases exist where IWRM can extend beyond hydrologic drainage basin boundaries to what can be defined as problemsheds, in particular when addressing habitat protection. IWRM can also address subsets of basins, particularly when the spatial extent of a catchment or basin is large. Implementation of IWRM can take many forms, although there are general pathways it often follows (Lee 1999, Molle 2003). In well functioning systems, IWRM is made of policies with clear objectives that in turn are implemented, monitored, and adapted. IWRM, thus, is comprised of both strategic and operational planning approaches and actions (Mitchell 1990).