The doors to our Whitianga and Paeroa offices will be closed for the summer break from 4pm on Friday, 20 December, while our Taupō and Hamilton offices will close for the summer break at 1pm on Tuesday, 24 December. All offices will reopen on Monday, 6 January 2025. To report air or water pollution, unsafe water activities in or on a river, lake or harbour, or make a general enquiry or information request during this time, call us 24/7 on 0800 800 401.

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Rivers and us

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Image - photo of riparian planting

Rivers and Us is an initiative to help educators, students and the community to consider the state of water in their local area. It looks at how people use water in urban and rural settings and the effects these uses have on water quality. Rivers and Us also has a strong emphasis on investigation and data collection and using these to inform action.

Key themes and science ideas

Although some of the resources use the Waikato region to provide context, the science concepts are transferable to all parts of Aotearoa.

Te mana o te wai – the holistic wellbeing of water – is central to Rivers and Us and to water quality protection throughout Aotearoa. Explore cultural aspects of wai with the interactive Wai Māori.

Every water body is part of a water catchment. The environment around the catchment area has an impact on water quality.

Water quality is affected by the activities that take place within catchments.

Gathering data and taking action

Water quality monitoring provides the evidence needed to determine whether water is suitable for humans and local ecosystems and whether users are meeting the conditions of their resource consents.

 

Stream planting in Mangatutu

Pedagogy

The balance between our uses of the land and the impacts this has on water quality provides an authentic opportunity for cross-curricular learning. The professional learning and development article Rivers and Us – a context for learning delves more deeply into the concepts as well as the key aspects of environmental education that underpin local stream monitoring and subsequent action.

Nature of science

It is the role of science to inform regional and national water policy decisions. Scientists gather water quality data and conduct research to find solutions, but it is up to others to create, implement and uphold the policies.

Links to resources