The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) provides direction about how local authorities should carry out their responsibilities under the Resource Management Act 1991 for manag [..]

Water clarity and underwater visibility is important for recreation such as swimming. It is also important from an aesthetic point of view – most people prefer to see clear water in our rivers and str [..]

A measure of the murkiness of water, reflecting the amount of suspended sediment in the water. High turbidity reduces the amount of light available to the plants and animals living in the water. It re [..]

Phosphorus is a nutrient that can encourage the growth of nuisance aquatic plants. These plants can choke up waterways and out-compete native species. High levels of phosphorus in water can be a resul [..]

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of water. A very high or very low pH means that water can be unsuitable for aquatic life. The pH range that is suitable for aquatic plants and animals is 6.5 to [..]

A complex mixture of algae, cyanobacteria, microbes and detritus that’s attached to submerged surfaces (such as rocks) in most aquatic ecosystems. Periphyton plays an important role by being a food so [..]

Nitrogen is a nutrient that can encourage the growth of nuisance aquatic plants. These plants can choke up waterways and out-compete native species. High levels of nitrogen in water can be a result of [..]

An invertebrate that is large enough to be seen with the naked eye (without a microscope). For example, insect larvae, worms, snails.

The NPS-FM defines a limit as “the maximum amount of resource use available, which allows a freshwater objective to be met”. For example, limits on the total amount of water that can be taken out of a [..]

An animal without a backbone (vertebrae). For example, insects and crustaceans, such as crabs.