Rivers of New Zealand

[2] Some of the rivers, especially those with wide flood plains and stop banks, have long road bridges spanning them.

[citation needed] Rivers are used for commercial tourism and recreation activities such as rafting, canoeing, kayaking and jet-boating.

With increasing environmental awareness and the passing of the Resource Management Act 1991, these sources of pollution are now less problematic.

Also, since dairy farming is becoming more intensified in New Zealand and requires large amounts of water, the problem is therefore being exacerbated.

There is a high level of pollution in lowland rivers and streams that flow through urban or pastoral farming areas.

[8] A report[9] from the Ministry of Economic Development identified a large number of rivers as being suitable for hydroelectric power production.