Where to for water?

News release

New Zealand Hydrological Society Conference 2011

New Zealand is at the crossroads in managing its most valuable resource – water, says Dr Jack McConchie, Principal Water Resources Scientist with Opus International Consultants.

It is fitting therefore that the New Zealand Hydrological Society is celebrating its Golden (50th) Jubilee conference this week at Te Papa where members will discuss future directions in both the science and management of New Zealand’s water resource.

“Water is New Zealand’s ‘blue gold’”, says Dr McConchie.

“Our Clean Green (blue) image is worth up to $600M per annum from the dairy sector, and up to $1B from tourism. All of New Zealand’s growth strategies depend on the availability of a plentiful supply of high quality water, be it through tourism, dairying, or sustainable energy. Access to such a valuable resource obviously leads to debate, competition, and potentially conflict.”

“While New Zealand has the fourth highest availability of freshwater in the OECD, it also has the second highest abstraction rate per capita. Generally New Zealand has plenty of water, but too often it is in the wrong place or available at the wrong time.

Dr McConchie says New Zealand’s water resource management has evolved dramatically over time to reflect changing needs and expectations.

Most urban communities are on flood plains so early management of water was aimed at controlling its destructive power. More recently management has focused on utilising water for public good and then environmental stewardship, he says.

“Water is now recognised as a strategic asset and vital for a wide range of activities. There are over 21,000 resource consents to use water, and the total amount allocated is 27 cubic kilometres - half the volume of Lake Taupo”, says Dr McConchie.

“The importance of water to our economy is increasing. The government has signalled a significant increase in investment in water-related infrastructure. Irrigation already adds over $800M per year in at-farm-gate value to our agriculture and horticulture enterprises. Local authorities already have over $7.5B of water-related assets and plan to invest a further $20B over the next 10 years,” Dr McConchie says.

President of the NZ Hydrological Society Joseph Thomas says hydrological science underpins almost every area of activity within New Zealand; past, present, and future. ,

“The conference marking the Society’s 50th Jubilee provides the opportunity to reflect on the evolution of our dynamic, internationally renowned research capacity, and knowledge of our water resource. It also provides a springboard for discussing future directions in both the science and management of New Zealand’s most valuable resource.”

Further information:

• The conference is being held at Te Papa and runs from Tuesday 6 December until Thursday 8 December
• The opening plenary of the conference begins at 10.15am on Tuesday in the main theatre of Te Papa and will include a welcome from Her Worship Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and keynote talks from Alastair Bisley, Convenor of the Land & Water Forum, and Dr Hyoseop Woo, Chairman of the Korean Water Resources Association

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