Why Are Our Wild Rivers Important?

There are many reasons why our Wild Rivers deserve better protection.

Here are just a few:

1. Wild rivers are very important ecosystems for native fish and birds
2. Wild rivers provide important corridors for migrating birds and freshwater fish like longfin eel
3. Wild rivers have very high water quality and provide good habitat for invertebrates
4. Wild rivers are home to a host of native whitebait species, e.g. koaro
5. Wild rivers carry the sediment from our mountain ranges to the sea, restoring coasts and preventing erosion
6. Wild rivers carve out important landscape features, including gorges, waterfalls, and braided rivers
7. Wild rivers replenish lowland rivers, streams, and wetlands
8. Wild rivers are outstanding landscapes
9. Wild rivers are important corridors for humans to travel through New Zealand’s wilderness
10. Wild rivers provide great opportunities for experiencing recreation in the wilderness, e.g. kayaking, tramping, rafting, fishing
11. Wild rivers provide a challenge to the adventurer
12. Wild rivers are important historical and cultural sites
13. Wild rivers are important to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders
14. Wild rivers are under-protected in New Zealand and deserve more!