100 projects
Trying things out, costing them, and planning how to take them to scale
Living Water: Dairy and freshwater thriving together
Farming and freshwater thriving together
Living Water is a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Fonterra. We’re trialling tools, methods and approaches to enable farming, freshwater and healthy ecosystems to thrive side-by-side.
We’re working with farmers, scientists, councils, mana whenua and communities to design and test solutions to improve freshwater quality, and then sharing the results of our trials and research on this website.
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 our 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.
Stopping the spread
READ: Dr Katie Collins, Department of Conservation Freshwater Science Lead and Waikato Peat Lakes Site Lead, Dion Patterson, chatted to the Waikato Times about how devastating koi carp can be to freshwater ecosystems and what's being done to try and keep Lake Ruatuna koi carp free. Awesome mahi! https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125515684/pest-fish-trap-installed-at--mysteriously-koifree-waikato-lake
A key question our partnership asks is how do we give space back to nature?
This article covers the many facets that need to be considered when people and rivers coexist. Should we be working with them rather than against them? https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/2021/06/rewilding-project-nz-braided-rivers/
Slowing the flow - a damn good idea
READ: How a series of small structures dotted across a catchment could reduce sediments and contaminants entering our sensitive freshwater ecosystems. https://bit.ly/3vISYT6 — at Waituna Lagoon
FIELDAYS FTW!
If you're at Fieldays this his weekend, come and say hi 👋 we're in the Fonterra tent. Learn about the projects Living Water has been working on in 5 catchments over the last 8 years alongside the Department of Conservation. Bring the whānau and colour in some native freshwater fish!
Tools and solutions
Our projects, case studies, and resources
