Kotahi Land & Freshwater

Hawke’s Bay has seven major river systems of mostly fast-flowing, clean, gravel rivers. There are four major lakes, with many smaller rivers, streams, lakes and wetland systems. Droughts are common and infrequent but intense localised rainfall events can have immense impacts on Hawke’s Bay’s land and water systems.  

Groundwater has historically been relied on as a dependable and safe water supply for domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes across much of the populated areas of the region. Two major groundwater systems sit under the Heretaunga Plains and the Ruataniwha Plains. These aquifers are characterised by complex connections between the underground and surface waters. 

Land and freshwater management has always been a core focus of the Regional Council’s work. The Regional Resource Management and Regional Coastal Environment Plans are the lead documents for the Council to exercise its responsibilities under the Resource Management Act 1991.  

Central Government’s 2020 Essential Freshwater programme directs a range of reforms to turn back from the continuing degradation of New Zealand’s freshwater resources and the risks posed by human activities. It aims to initiate positive change to land and water management, so water quality improves within five years, and to reverse past damage to bring our waterways and ecosystems to a healthy state within a generation. 

In 2010, the Regional Council prepared Hawke's Bay Land and Water Management Strategy, listing the critical factors to be addressed, including: