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. The peninsula is reliant on rainfall to keep the creeks running and storage tanks and ponds full. Groundwater resources are limited and every summer settlements such as Akaroa experience water restrictions. It has always been an important place and food basket for Ngai Tahu. Four rūnanga are present on Banks Peninsula – Te Hapu ō Ngāti Wheke/Rāpaki, Te Rūnanga o Koukourārata, Te Rūnanga o Ōnuku and Te Rūnanga o Wairewa.

Wai We Care

Applications are open to join your local water zone committee. Hear from current members and apply now.

Meet your zone representatives

Find out who your water zone committee members are and meet your on-the-ground zone delivery team.

Zone news and events

Latest zone stories, videos and newsletters.

Water conservation

Our water is too precious to waste; it is up to everyone to use it wisely.

Action on the ground

The enhancement of ecosystem health, indigenous biodiversity and recreation is at the heart of action on the ground in the Banks Peninsula water zone.

Upcoming meetings and agendas

Find out when your zone's next meeting is and read the agenda.

Make a positive difference

Waterways can recover; however it takes a sustained effort over many years. Working together we can make a positive difference.

Let's work together for a healthy harbour

Find out how five organisations have come together to work toward the restoration of Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour.

Subscribe to your water zone mailing list

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Your natural environment

Discover the natural environment in the Banks Peninsula water zone.

What does the Banks Peninsula water zone committee do?

The committee works with the community, councils, rūnanga and other partners to deliver the targets of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy in the zone. Sign up to our mailing list for updates.

What are we aiming to achieve by 2020?

The zone committee has worked with the community to agree on several areas of priority and outcomes to budget for and act on in the Banks Peninsula water zone, which we will measure progress against to 2020.

View the five-year delivery outcomes for Banks Peninsula
  • Access to safe and reliable drinking water
  • Effective flood management in Wairewa catchment
  • Improved stormwater management and reduced sediment discharges
  • Operate at Good Management Practice
  • The value of biodiversity is recognised in its own right and embraced through Kaitiakitanga
  • Support community ownership
  • Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour Catchment Management Plan
  • Raise awareness and understanding of climate change effects
  • Resource consent monitoring is prioritised within the zone

Zone Implementation Programmes

Zone Implementation Programmes or ZIPs were developed in the early stages of the zone committees' existence, following the adoption of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

While we may have moved on in terms of our priorities in each zone, ZIPs remain the foundation of the work we do. You can download the Banks Peninsula ZIP and addendum using the buttons below.