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.
Giving Mudfish a helping hand!
What an awesome project with an awesome outcome for the Canterbury Mudfish (most threatened of New Zealand's mudfish species), a great example of collaboration! https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=495309197870994
Minister Eugenie Sage and Prime Minister Jacinda Adern visit Pukorokor-Miranda
We had some special guests at the Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre today, our Living Water team got a chance to talk with the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Environment Minister Eugenie Sage MP about what Living Water is doing in the area to help the shorebirds and what we are doing to improve water quality on both Fonterra farms and Department of Conservation land that will one day be scaled up and used in other catchments around the country.
Where do our native Longfin eels (tuna) go to breed?
This is one of our greatest mysteries, NIWA freshwater ecologists are hoping to get the answers by tagging female eels in the Waikato River. Listen 👇 https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/2018695044/mystery-of-the-longfin-eel-s-breeding-ground
How well can our small native fish in different velocities?
How well can our small native fish in different velocities? Understanding what water speed different species of fish are capable of coping with will help with the fish-friendly design of structures to ensure the fish can move upstream and downstream at different stages of their lives. Have a listen👇 https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/2018701228/freshwater-fish-swim-for-science
Our progress
Our plans, projects, case studies, and reports.
