100 projects
Trying things out, costing them, and planning how to take them to scale
Living Water: Dairy and freshwater thriving together
Living Water is a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Fonterra. Our focus is finding game-changing and scalable solutions that will enable farming, freshwater and healthy ecosystems to thrive side-by-side.
We are working with farmers, scientists, councils, mana whenua and communities to design and test solutions, and then develop a plan to implement regionally and nationally.
Our mission
5 regions
Demonstrating dairying and freshwater ecosystems thriving together
1 mission
To build connections which can drive better outcomes for the environment, the economy and New Zealanders
Who are we
With nearly 40% of New Zealand’s land under their care, Fonterra and the Department of Conservation have joined forces to work on the farming and freshwater challenge.
We work on the ground, side by side. We share our expertise and use our collective strengths.
Where we’re working
How we’re working
1
Working towards a common vision of dairy and freshwater thriving together
2
Designing and trialling solutions in five catchments
3
Measuring the impact across 10 years
4
Scaling implementation — the process and cost per farm, per region and for New Zealand
5
Championing change — to mindsets, approaches, systems and aspirations
What we’re up to
We are doers, with the big picture in mind. Check out what we have been up to around New Zealand.
World Ranger Day - Andrew
Happy World Ranger Day! A massive thank you to our Living Water Rangers who are on the front line everyday working to protect our taonga! To celebrate, we asked our Living Water Rangers what motivates them to get out of bed everyday. Here's our Northern Site Lead, Andrew: "My motivation is caring for the environment and moving towards a sustainable future. I love the problem solving part of my job and the out of the box solutions we come up with to make a difference."
World Ranger Day - Jane
To celebrate World Ranger Day, we're introducing our rangers and asked them to share with us what motivates them. Here's Waituna site lead, Jane, "We have some pretty amazing (but at risk!) freshwater ecosystems and fish species (like the Giant Kokopu she's holding) in New Zealand. What motivates me is working in a role which does a little bit towards protecting these for the next generation” (Jane is currently on secondment)
World Ranger Day
World Ranger Day highlights the critical work our rangers do, to celebrate we're celebrating our amazing rangers and asked them what motivates them to get out of bed. Here's Pūkorokoro-Miranda and Waikato Peat Lakes Ranger, Rose, with a rarely seen (and threatened) Spotless Crake. "Working in conservation is my passion and part of my identity. I am so happy that my job is a contribution to preserving and restoring our natural heritage." Read about Rose's encounter with the Spotless Crake: https://www.livingwater.net.nz/our-progress/im:1432/spotless-crake-the-lesser-known-bird-that
World Ranger Day
To say thanks to our amazing Rangers on World Ranger Day, we asked our Living Water Rangers to share with us what gets them out of bed each day. Ararira-LII Site Lead, Robin: "We’re all awakening to how a healthy environment underpins our present and future prosperity. Living Water has given me a chance to share that message, collaborate with others for the good of the environment and design and trial solutions to improve sustainable farming practice and freshwater ecosystem health."
Our progress
Our plans, projects, case studies, and reports.
