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Fresh water
Freshwater demand (allocation)
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To report on freshwater demand in New Zealand, the volumes of water allocated to human uses are measured. This is also known as total consumptive water allocation.
Current consumptive allocation is compared with historical allocation, the overall size of New Zealand’s renewable freshwater resource, and the amount of water flowing in our rivers.
Recent situation
In 2006 (latest data available), almost 20,000 resource consents were in place for taking water, 66 per cent of which are for groundwater takes. Although the majority of consents were for water from groundwater sources, the volume of water taken from surface water sources was higher.
If all the water consents are added together, the total allocation of water in New Zealand (in 2006) was 676 cubic metres every second. This is equivalent to twice the average flow rate of the Waikato River. The Canterbury and Otago regions account for almost three-quarters of the total allocation, with 55 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.
Use of freshwater
In 2006, 77 per cent of New Zealand's allocated water was used for irrigation. The remainder is shared among public water supply, manufacturing and industry and stock watering.
Use of allocated water in New Zealand, 2006
Data source: Ministry for the Environment.
In Canterbury, Marlborough and Tasman, irrigation accounted for more than 80 per cent of water allocations. Water taken for industrial uses makes up a relatively large proportion of the total allocation in Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, the West Coast and Southland.
Regional variations in the use of allocated water, 2006
Note: allocations for stock drinking water are underestimated, because this is generally a permitted activity under the Resource Management Act 1991 (that is, it does not require a resource consent), so full figures for stock drinking water allocations are not available.
Data source: Ministry for the Environment.
In most cases, consent holders do not use the full volume of water they are allowed under the consent. The proportion of actual water used is highly variable. Regional consents indicate that actual use typically ranges from 20 to 80 per cent of the allocated volumes. Demand for water varies according to factors such as the time of year, crop type and the growth stage of the crop. Use of allocated water often declines early and late in the growing season.
Recent trends
Total water allocation in New Zealand increased by 50 per cent between 1999 and 2006. Over this period, allocation increased by almost 80 per cent and 40 per cent from groundwater and surface water sources respectively, while allocation from storage sources tripled. Allocation increased in all regions except Northland. This is likely to reflect changes in the way resource consent information is held, rather than an actual reduction in demand for water in the Northland region.
Changes in allocation and irrigated area between 1999 and 2006
Notes:
(1) Data was not available for Nelson or the West Coast in 1999.
(2) The consented irrigated area will differ from the actual irrigated area in any given year because land owners may not irrigate all the land for which they hold a consent.
(3) m3/s = cubic metres per second.
Data source: Ministry for the Environment.
The increase in total water allocation in New Zealand between 1999 and 2006 can largely be explained by the increase in demand for irrigation. The amount of consented irrigated land in New Zealand increased by 52 per cent over this period - an annual rate of increase of 7 per cent.
In terms of total land area, the biggest increases in irrigation occurred in Canterbury, Otago, Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough. However, relative to the land irrigated in 1999, the regions with the biggest rate of growth are Southland, Wellington, Bay of Plenty and the Waikato where irrigated land areas have at least doubled between 1999 and 2006.
In 2006, the area of total consented irrigated land in New Zealand was just over 970,000 hectares. The majority of this was in Canterbury (66 per cent) and the second largest amount in Otago (14 per cent).
International comparison
Compared internationally, New Zealand has an abundance of fresh water. It is ranked 12th out of 193 countries on a per capita basis for the size of its renewable freshwater resource. Within New Zealand, allocated water comprises less than 5 per cent of its renewable freshwater resource.
On a per capita basis, it is estimated that the demand for water is two to three times higher in New Zealand than in most other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. This estimate is based on figures for total water use (water used for economic development as well as domestic purposes) and is indicative only because the methodologies for estimating water use differ between countries.
On a national basis, 77 per cent of the total weekly allocation is used for irrigation, which is slightly higher than the global average of 70 per cent. The use of water by manufacturing and industry and for public supply is generally low in New Zealand compared with more populous countries in Europe and North America and represents a relatively small part of the overall demand in New Zealand.
What can you do?
- Minimise water use by putting plants in your garden that are suitable for local conditions and use mulch around them to retain moisture.
- Capture rainwater in a tank for use in the garden and for washing cars. A rainwater tank can reduce your demand for town supply by up to 20 per cent.
- Choose water efficient shower heads, taps and appliances to save water in your home. Use dishwashers and washing machines on full loads to save overall water use.
- Fix any water leaks around the home – a leaky tap that drips every second can waste up to 10,000 litres of water a year.
This information has come from the latest state of the environment report, Environment New Zealand 2007.
Return to the main freshwater page.
Last updated: December 2007
