Restoration strategy launched for Waipa and Waikato Rivers

Waikato River, near Hamilton.

A 15-year restoration strategy for the Waikato and Waipa river catchments was launched on Friday.

The strategy has been a three-year project between DairyNZ, Waikato Regional Council and the Waikato River Authority.

It is a non-statutory and non-regulatory framework to help with future activities for restoration around the Waikato River and Waipa River.

The document provides a foundation to guide organisations that fund or undertake restoration through identification of specific, technically achievable and prioritised actions.

Key to developing the strategy has been the input and support of mana whenua, landowners and other stakeholder groups in the catchment.

The strategy was launched by the Minister for the Environment David Parker, at Waikato-Tainui College at Hopuhopu.

Co-chairs of the Waikato River Authority John Luxton and Tukoroirangi Morgan say the collaboration and effort which has produced the strategy gives further promise to the restoration work ahead for the catchments.

Waikato Regional Council chair Alan Livingston agreed.

"In the Waikato region we are privileged to have a number of organisations that are committed to restoring the health of our waterways and it was great to have us come together to work on a coordinated plan," he said.

"Water defines our region, but more contaminants are making their way into the water and they threaten our water's quality and our highly valued aquatic life.

"The good news is that we have many opportunities for restoration of our most important resource – and our strength is in working together."