Indicative water quantity allocation maps

These maps show how much water is currently allocated to be taken from Northland's rivers and aquifers. The level of allocation is then compared to the allocation limits in the Regional Plan.

Indicative surface water allocation

Important Note:

The level of allocation shown on the indicative surface water allocation maps does not include:

(a)  Takes for stock drinking water and domestic purposes under Section 14(3)(b) of the RMA; and

(b)  Takes that can be undertaken as a permitted activity. This is because the council does not have records of permitted activity takes at specific locations.

This means that in some areas the actual amount of water that is allocated to be taken may exceed what is displayed. On the other hand, the maps may overstate the level of water allocation in some areas because of the estimates and assumptions used in our allocation calculator (see “Map limitations and use” below).

The following map shows the level of surface water allocation at each river reach.

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Indicative groundwater allocation

Taking groundwater has the potential to impact surface water flows due to the connectivity between groundwater and surface water.

The ‘thatched’ areas show where surface water is fully allocated. Since over allocation is prohibited, new groundwater takes in these areas that would affect surface water flows cannot be granted.

The level of allocation shown on the indicative groundwater allocation maps does include an estimate of takes for stock drinking water and domestic purposes under Section 14(3)(b) of the RMA.

This means that in some areas the actual amount of water that is allocated to be taken may exceed what is displayed. On the other hand, the maps may overstate the level of water allocation in some areas because of the estimates and assumptions used in our allocation calculator (see “Map limitations and use” below).

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Map limitations and use

The allocation calculator used in the maps is regularly updated from our consents database and produces maps that estimate how much water is currently allocated.

The level of allocation shown on the indicative surface water allocation maps:

  • Does not include applications that are “in process”.
  • Does not include takes for stock drinking or domestic purposes under Section 14(3)(b) of the RMA taken from an individual stream.
  • Does not include takes that can be undertaken as a permitted activity. This is because the council does not have records of permitted activity takes from an individual stream.
  • The allocation limits are based on modelled seven-day mean annual low flows1 for many catchment or data from continuous flow recorder sites (where available).

The level of allocation shown on the indicative groundwater allocation maps:

  • Does not include applications that are “in process”.
  • Does include an estimate of takes for stock drinking water and domestic purposes under Section 14(3)(b) of the RMA.
  • We have estimated the amount of water being taken and the locations of the takes for existing dairy shed use from known herd size and a nationally accepted water allocation per cow.
  • The annual groundwater recharge rates for aquifers other than the Aupouri have been based on annual average rainfall estimates3.
  • For the Aupouri Peninsula, the annual groundwater recharge has been estimated based on numerical modelling2
  • For the Aupouri Peninsula, a groundwater take near a subzone boundary may also take water from the nearby subzones. This cross-boundary effect is considered when estimating the indicative allocation in the Aupouri Peninsula.

We can provide you with further information on the level of allocation within specific parts of a catchment or river. Please contact us if you have any questions.

  1. Hydrological Estimates for Northland. 2012. NIWA.
  2. Aupouri Aquifer Review. April 2015. Lincoln Agritech Limited. 
  3. Aquifer Extent Review. June 2016. WM Group.
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