Canterbury has some of the cleanest water in the world, which is drawn from underground aquifers and which we can drink untreated. Although a floodplain, the Canterbury plains have a dry climate, and the thirsty land requires a lot of water to grow good grass and crops. Irrigation for agriculture, particularly for dairy farming, uses the most water in the region. Human activities like agriculture, recreation, industry and power generation can affect water quality and quantity.

What we offer

Waitaha Wai

Is a comprehensive water education resource written for years 7 and 8. This resource is FREE to teachers and, depending on bookings, some facilitation support is available.

• Waitaha Wai Supplements:
• Canterbury Mudfish/Kowaro
• Kaiapoi Catchment
• Waihi, Opihi, Orari Rivers and their tributaries
• Lake Ellesmere.

Living Streams

Is a programme aimed to help improve water quality in lowland rural streams. For schools within Living Streams catchments, there is a 2-year facilitated environmental education programme available and additional resource material.

Your Environment, Canterbury (E-box): Water - the lifeblood of Canterbury

In this issue, we dive into water, a natural resource that can be taken for granted – but shouldn't be.

Water - the lifeblood of Canterbury (pdf 1.31 MB)