Freshwater environment
Why is freshwater important?
Why are Auckland's freshwater environments important?
The streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands are home to many unique plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world:
- the young of small aquatic insects (macroinvertebrates) can be found in high numbers in some Auckland's streams and provide an important food for native fish like the banded kokopu, a member of the "whitebait" group of native fish
- other whitebait species found in Auckland are giant kokopu, inanga, shortjaw kokopu and koaro
- black mudfish are found in two wetlands near Warkworth and can survive long periods out of water by aestivating, a type of hibernation
- wetlands are also home to a number of rare birds including the Australasian bittern and banded rail
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lakes in the Auckland Region are valuable habitat for a variety of waterbirds, for example, the NZ dabchick and the NZ shoveler. The lakes can also support a diverse native fishery, such as longfin and shortfin eel, grey mullet and whitebait.
How Auckland uses freshwater
Freshwater is important for Auckland social, economic, cultural wellbeing. We use our freshwater resource in many ways, including:
- domestic, industrial, commercial water supply and irrigation
- absorbing and removing contaminants
- recreation such as swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking. For instance, Lake Pupuke is the venue for many different types of regattas including dragon boating, yachting and rowing
- as a component of our landscape, such as an attractive stream running through an urban park.
Maori have strong cultural and historic links to streams, lakes and wetlands in Auckland. These resources are spiritually important, a source of kaimoana and contribute to the identity of tangata whenua (people of the land).
