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Our precious rivers and streams

The Waikato region has more than 16,000 km of rivers and streams.  These waterways give the region much of its character. We've got mountain and lowland streams, wild and scenic rivers and, of course, the mighty Waikato River.

Our rivers and streams  provide:

  • a place to play, swim, fish, water-ski, kayak
  • a home for aquatic plants and animals, with some species found nowhere else in the world
  • a source of food such as koura, inanga, eels (tuna)
  • water for drinking, industry and agriculture
  • hydro-electricity
  • wastewater treatment
  • a source of spiritual renewal
  • a focus for community and cultural events.

    ori have strong cultural, traditional and historic links with our wetlands and inland waterways. These fresh water resources are spiritually significant and closely linked to the identities of the tangata whenua (people of the land).

    For more information on our region's rivers and streams, select a topic below.

    Managing water quality

    •  Catchment land use affects the water quality of our rivers. Water quality in our rivers is:

      • good in undeveloped areas, such as the tributary rivers of Lake Taupō.
      • relatively poor in lowland areas that drain intensively developed catchments, for example, lowland Waikato River.

      Flooding and erosion can have major impacts on waterways. Waikato Regional Council's river and catchment management activities are designed to minimise these impacts.