Freshwater
Labour accuses PM of putting off water tax question
The government is "kicking the can down the road" on taxing water, and bottling companies should be paying a levy to regional councils, Labour leader Andrew Little says. Video
Water exports to come under scrutiny
An advisory group will be asked to look at the questions around water exports, in response to public concern, the Prime Minister says. Audio
Petition to stop water exports put to MPs
A 15,000 signature petition calling for a moratorium on drinking water exports has been presented to opposition MPs Audio
Aucklanders not saving enough water to avoid boil notice
Aucklanders are not yet saving enough water to definitely avoid a city-wide boil water notice after the city's main water treatment plant was swamped with silt and debris.
Auckland risks worst water crisis in 20 years
If Aucklanders fail to reduce daily water usage due to issues caused by this week's rainfall, a boil water notice will be needed, warns Watercare. Video
Harmful bacteria re-appears in Otago lake
The Otago Regional Council has issued another health warning for Lake Waihola, near Milton, just over a month after lifting its previous warning.
Diving into the muddy water of 'swimmable'
Opinion - Watered-down standards or unfair criticism? Dr Siouxsie Wiles and Dr Jonathan Marshall look at the claims around the government's freshwater plan.
What the Government's new freshwater standards mean
How do people make sense of the Government's new freshwater standards and how will the public know where and when it is safe to swim? The Government has released new standards aiming to make… Audio
Govt plans to make 90% of NZ waterways swimmable by 2040
The government's new target strikes the right balance, Prime Minister Bill English says, but critics say it does not go far enough. Video, Audio
Swimmable, not wadeable: Greens deliver freshwater petition
The Green Party has delivered a message to the government calling for the standard for freshwater to be raised from wadeable to swimmable.
Dairy NZ won't appeal Greenpeace ad ruling
Dairy NZ wanted to avoid increasing talk about Greenpeace's message, which blamed the sector for water pollution.
Dairy NZ to appeal decision on Greenpeace ad
An advertising watchdog dismissed complaints the advert about water pollution was false and misleading, but one group plans to appeal.
Warning over potentially toxic algae in Waikirikiri
A health warning has been issued after potentially toxic algae was found in the Waikirikiri River at Glentunnel in the Selwyn District.
Supreme Court to hear Ruataniwha Dam appeal
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal on whether the Ruataniwha irrigation project can go ahead in Hawke's Bay.
Scientists discover world's oldest water
The world's oldest water, which is locked deep within the Earth's crust, just got even older.
Lessons learned from fish on prozac
By 2050, 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities, according to the United Nations. Professor Bryan Brooks’ work focuses on what can be done towards clean, sustainable water resources… Audio
Gastro bug risk prompts warning for Taranaki swimmers
Gastrointestinal illness after swimming in lakes and rivers could be far more common than reported cases suggest.
No problem with drinking water plan, residents told
Health authorities in Canterbury insist using water intended for farm animals as a back-up drinking water supply is safe.
Federated Farmers boss admits spilling effluent into stream
The Federated Farmers Southland president has admitted his farm is responsible for the effluent spill into the Winton Stream.
Large effluent spill into Southland stream
The Southland Regional Council is warning locals to keep their dogs away from the Winton Stream, after a significant amount of effluent was discharged into a tributary.