Wild Rivers

New Zealand's wild rivers are the lifeblood of our nation - raging in flood and murmuring in summer. Their pure waters sustain our native freshwater fish (including eels), blue duck/whio, and other river birds, like black front terns and wrybill. Trout and other sports fish are abundant in wilderness reaches.

The river banks are home to a rich array of wildlife, forests festooned with rata and kiekie, floors crawling with giant land snails, weta, kiwi. Overhanging trees like kowhai provide fruit for kereru, tui and bellbird.

And wild rivers draw people like a magnet. We kayak, fish, raft, play, swim and walk alongside these wilderness places.

Our 'clean green' tourism image centres on our wilderness, with wild rivers providing corridors for people to appreciate and play.

But our wild rivers are under threat: from hydro-electricity generation, irrigation and agricultural water storage, and sometimes pollution. Our remaining wild rivers need urgent protection from destruction. Even those on public conservation land, in Wilderness Areas, and protected by Water Conservation Orders are under threat.

Wild Rivers Vision:
Wild rivers are not renewable. New Zealand’s remaining wild rivers must be protected for future generations as national treasures.

• Wild rivers need the same protection as national parks.
• New Zealand’s energy future does not need to sacrifice our remaining wild rivers.
• Wild rivers are free to be enjoyed by everyone.
• New Zealanders are passionate about wild rivers, which are central to our national identity and international reputation