The vision for the Ashburton zone is to allow for a prosperous farming sector, with landowners and managers farming within environmental limits, while reversing the trend of water over-allocation and trialling new ways of improving water and biodiversity resources for all. Click on the tiles below to find out about some of our bigger projects.
Ōtūwharekai Ashburton Lakes
The Ōtuwharekai (Ashburton Lakes) are a hugely significant and important part of our region, but threats to water quality mean we need to take action now.
Protecting the Hakatere / Ashburton River mouth
Plans to protect and enhance the biodiversity of the Hakatere / Ashburton River mouth include the development of a new wildlife sanctuary, as part of a new management strategy.
The Hinds/Hekeao Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Pilot Project
The MAR is New Zealand’s largest managed groundwater rehabilitation project, delivering ecosystem health and enhanced environmental, cultural and recreational values.
The Hinds Drains Working Party
The Hinds Drains Working Party was formed in 2014 to facilitate a water body by water body approach to developing management plans.
Irrigation efficiency programme
An efficient irrigation system can save you money — check out the support available in the Ashburton district through our irrigation efficiency programme.
Ashburton water consents review
Learn about our review of around 90 resource consents that take surface water or stream depleting groundwater in the Hakatere/Ashburton river catchment.
Protecting your private drinking water source
Find out about how drinking water is regulated and how to keep your private water supply safe.
Priorities to 2020
The Ashburton water zone committee has worked with the community to agree on several areas of priority for the Ashburton water zone. Use the drop-down menus below see how we are getting on.
Good Management Practice
All farmers are operating at Good Management Practice (GMP) or better
Not Started | Started | Progress | Good Progress | Achieving
Enhancing biodiversity
Landowners, rūnanga, stakeholders, local authorities and others are working together to protect and enhance biodiversity throughout the zone
Not Started | Started | Progress | Good Progress | Achieving
Hakatere/Ashburton River ecosystem health
Improve the ecosystem health of the Hakatere/Ashburton River
Not Started | Started | Progress | Good Progress | Achieving
Hinds River and Drains
Hinds River and Drains are managed in a way that provides for multiple needs/interests
Not Started | Started | Progress | Good Progress | Achieving
Catchment health
The urban and rural community understand the environmental, economic and social trends occurring in the zone and there is widespread ownership of catchment health
Not Started | Started | Progress | Good Progress | Achieving