FRESHWATER+IS+IMPORTANT!

New Zealand has 425,000 kilometres of rivers and streams, almost 4000 lakes that are larger than 1 hectare and about 200 groundwater bodies (aquifers). Fresh water is among our most valuable natural assets. New Zealand’s rivers, streams and lakes are highly valued for recreational activities providing safe drinking supply and sustaining natural ecosystems that are home to many of New Zealand’s native species. Fresh water is a vital part of the New Zealand economy: it is used to irrigate crops and pastures, dispose of or dilute trade wastes and sewage, and produce hydro-electric energy. Water is also a fundamental taonga (treasure) for Māori. Māori have cultural, historical and spiritual links with many of the country’s springs, wetlands, rivers, hot pools, lakes and also value having healthy water bodies for mahinga kai (customary food and resource gathering). By international standards, fresh water in New Zealand is both abundant and clean. However, with land-use practices becoming more intensive, particularly in farming, there is greater demand for water now than ever before, and evidence is building that its quality is declining in many water bodies. In New Zealand we have a huge amount of rainfall for fresh water. Most areas in New Zealand have an average of 600 to 1600mm of rainfall. Which means this also helps us get fresh water. Other thing where we get fresh water for are glaciers, ice caps, and snow, hail and possibly many other ice related solid objects. Another important sources of fresh water are **__Springs! __**
 * __ Freshwater in NZ! __**

Springs are found everywhere in New Zealand. There are some at the Redwood Reserve here in Christchurch, Whakatane springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs and more on this website: []