Canterbury’s approach to freshwater management is changing. From 2026, new local leadership groups will replace the existing Water Zone Committees, building on their legacy of community involvement and collaboration. These groups will bring together local knowledge, iwi partnership, and regional expertise to guide the future of freshwater and land management across Waitaha.

This change, endorsed by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum in May 2025, is now underway. We’ll update these pages as the new groups are established, while continuing to share the valuable work created with Water Zone Committees.

Questions? Read our latest media release: Canterbury Mayoral Forum confirms revamped water and land leadership model(external link), or contact Murray Griffin at 📞 027 705 4798 or 📧 murray.griffin@ecan.govt.nz

Water zone committees

Water Zone Committees, which guided community water management, are being replaced by local leadership groups from 2026.

Funding for environmental projects

Apply for support for projects that help improve water management, enhance biodiversity, or engage the community on environmental issues

Kaikōura water zone

Find out more about the diverse landscapes, biodiversity, land use and committee activities in the Kaikōura zone.

Hurunui Waiau Uwha water zone

Find out more about the diverse landscapes, biodiversity, land use and committee activities in the Hurunui zone.

Waimakariri water zone

Find out more about the diverse landscapes, biodiversity, land use and committee activities in the Waimakariri zone.

Christchurch West Melton water zone

The Christchurch West Melton water zone is home to spring-fed streams and rivers, aquifer zones, the Port Hills and the braided Waimakariri River.

Banks Peninsula water zone

The Banks Peninsula water zone is made up of eroded volcanic domes that have been breached by the sea. Its catchments are short, steep and prone to flash flooding.

Selwyn Waihora water zone

The Selwyn Waihora water zone stretches from the upper Waimakariri basin and the high country around Lake Coleridge down to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.

Ashburton water zone

The Ashburton water zone is bordered by two large braided rivers — the Rakaia and Rangitata, which have their headwaters in the Southern Alps.

Ōrāri Temuka Ōpihi Pareora water zone

The Ōrāri Temuka Ōpihi Pareora water zone has hill-fed braided rivers and coastal areas with strong and complex links between ground and surface water.

Upper Waitaki water zone

The Upper Waitaki catchment is almost completely derived from glacial activity with features ranging from alpine ice fields and lakes to braided river plains.

Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury water zone

The Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury water zone features spring-fed streams, coastal lagoons, complex groundwater flows and part of the Waitaki River.

Useful documents

Looking for community support?

See our Community support page.