Ecological Monitoring

In addition, ecological monitoring is undertaken of 83 lakes in the region on a rotational basis by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). In 2009-2010, ten lakes were monitored as part of this programme.

Lakes in the programme are ranked according to their ecological value, i.e., how many native or endangered plant and animal species they contain, the absence of pest species and how close the lake is to its natural state.