The Waimakariri water zone lies north of the Waimakariri River and extends from Pegasus Bay in the east to the Puketeraki Range in the west. Both the Waimakariri River and the Ashley River/Rakahuri have high ecological, mahinga kai and recreational values. The vision for the zone, which was developed with the community, is, “Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri, ā muri ake nei; for us and our children after us".
📢 From 2026, new local leadership groups will replace the Water Zone Committees, building on their legacy of community collaboration.
News and events
Read about the latest news, columns, events and more for Waimakariri.
Local projects and priorities
Find out about the work that Environment Canterbury does in Waimakariri.
Waimakariri water zone committee
Find out about the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee and its members.
Natural environment
Find out about Waimakariri's natural environment and diverse ecosystems.
Information for farmers and the community
Visit the Farmers' hub for farming rules and best practice tips.
Can I swim here?
Find out about water quality monitoring at popular swimming sites and learn about our summer monitoring.
Subscribe to your water zone mailing list
Keep up to date with the latest news.
- Find out more about our three core responsibilities.
- Find out more about our unique ecosystem.
- View upcoming meetings.
- Information for farmers in the Waimakariri region.