What dry conditions mean for Waitaha/Canterbury

A lack of water can have wide-reaching repercussions. Learn more about the impacts of prolonged dry conditions in our region.

There are more than 400 lakes and 78,000 kilometres of rivers in Waitaha/Canterbury, with the equivalent of 150,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools of groundwater flowing beneath Ōtautahi/Christchurch. 

This water is crucial to our native and introduced species, irrigation, electricity generation, cultural practices, and recreation. A lack of it can negatively impact all these areas.  

An El Niño weather pattern has kept Waitaha dry for nearly a year. In March 2024, a medium-scale adverse event was declared in Waitaha and Otago, a week after being announced in Nelson and Marlborough. 

It’s predicted that we will see an increase in drought events, now and in the future.  

“There are economic, cultural, conservational, and recreational interests all using Canterbury’s water resources,” our Surface Water Science Manager Dr Elaine Moriarty said. 

“It’s important that people know how dry conditions impact these activities.

“A warming climate means we can expect to see these kinds of activities under increasing pressure in the future. So, it’s good for Cantabrians to be aware.” 

Read more about the impacts of prolonged dry conditions and what to expect in Waitaha.