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Background
The Waikato River Authority
was established in 2010 as the
custodian of Te Ture Whaimana
o Te Awa o Waikato (the Vision
and Strategy for the Waikato
River). The Authority is also
the body responsible for
overseeing the implementation
of the clean-up of the river as
the sole trustee of the Waikato
River Clean-up Trust.
The Vision and Strategy was
developed and published in
2008 under the watch and
direction of the Guardians
Establishment Committee.
Consultative hui, public open
days and meetings with
stakeholders with an interest
and connection with the
Waikato River were held. In
addition, submissions were
called for and received which
guided the formation of the
Vision and Strategy.
The Vision and Strategy is
consistent with the overarching
purpose of the settlement
between Waikato-Tainui and
the Crown to restore and
protect the wellbeing of the
Waikato River. The Vision
and Strategy incorporates
the objectives provided by
Waikato-Tainui as set out in the
Agreement in Principle, and
other objectives that reflect the
interests of Waikato River iwi,
and all New Zealanders.
Complexity of the
Catchment
The Waikato River is New
Zealand’s longest river at 442
kilometres and represents
about a fifth of all water from
the main North Island rivers. It
encompasses a catchment of
11-thousand square kilometres.
Along the course of the Waikato
River it encounters geothermal
fields and power stations.
There are eight hydro-electric
power stations creating a series
of dams and reservoirs along
what were formerly steep and
turbulent sections of the river.
There are complex habitats
associated with wetlands and
lakes along the lower river
floodplain. These areas provide
a habitat for a range of species,
including many native species
that are considered threatened.
The Whangamarino wetland
and areas below Rangiriri,
including islands and channels
of the Waikato River delta are
considered of international
significance.
The Waikato River has over
the centuries been a source of
food, transport and economic
benefit. The economic
importance has increased
through the decades with water
supply to towns and cities,
to agricultural production
and electricity generation.
Today the Waikato River runs
through the biggest export
region in the country with
increasing demands on its
water. The Waikato River is of
immense spiritual and cultural
significance to tangata whenua
that have lived along its shores
for many centuries.
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Waikato River Authority
Five Year Report
2015