About this FMU

The Tākaka Freshwater Management Unit includes the Tākaka River and its tributaries, including the Cobb reservoir, and all catchments between Wainui Bay and Tukurua, including their estuaries. It also includes three aquifers - the Tākaka Unconfined Gravel Aquifer that provides Tākaka township with water, the Tākaka Limestone Aquifer, and the Wharepapa/Arthur Marble Aquifer that feeds Te Waikoropupū Springs.

Natural lakes in this FMU include Lake Stanley in the Kahurangi National Park and Lake Killarney, which is a karst sinkhole lake within the Tākaka township.

Issues identified for this FMU include: high E. coli and dissolved phosphorus values in smaller lowland streams, nitrate levels in Te Waikoropupū Springs and need for protection, reservation of water for potential community supplies, effects of climate change, limited understanding of hydrology and geology relating to water quality, uncertain regulatory environment making business planning difficult, uncertainty around the effects of the Water Conservation Order for Te Waikoropupū Springs for producers, impacts on natural character if carbon farming is pursued, and need for flood control.

Creating a Vision

The draft vision below has been developed based on what we have heard so far in working with local communities and the engagement feedback in 2022 and 2023.

Thanks to all those who gave us feedback. It is important that the vision reflects our shared and diverse views as the vision will direct what the freshwater framework seeks to achieve through the plan.

The draft vision may change based on further feedback we receive through the plan process. We are working through the visioning process with our iwi partners and we will be looking at how our visions can work together in the plan in 2024.

Tākaka Draft Vision

It is 2100, our waterbodies are healthy, connected and resilient where indigenous ecosystems and biodiversity are thriving, providing abundant mahinga kai, food and resource gathering and fishing. All waterbodies and their margins have high natural character and have room to move and adapt.

It is 2035, our land and freshwater management provides for our community’s social, economic and cultural wellbeing. People have access to safe, clean water for drinking, swimming, recreation and cultural uses.

It is 2040, sustainable and integrated land and water management practices protect the ecosystem health and natural character of our aquifers, rivers, lakes, springs, tomo, karst sinkholes and wetlands, and provides for our agriculture, tourism, commercial and industry sectors. Our urban development connects us to our backyard waterbodies.

It is 2055, our communities and livelihoods are resilient to our changing climate, and floods and droughts. We have enabled use of renewable energy and water storage and our food producing areas continue to play an important role for local food security.

We all respect and take responsibility for freshwater health. We value the taonga we are protecting. Through collaboration and innovation we have adapted to new ways of doing things. We have restored, protected and maintained freshwater habitats and the quality and quantity of freshwater, enabling sustainable use for generations to come.

Te Waikoropupū Springs is Te Puna Waiora (purest water). Lake Killarney has been restored and our tamariki enjoy swimming there.

The Wharepapa Arthur Marble Aquifer and Te Waikoropupū Springs are outstanding water bodies with protected tikanga Māori, amenity, intrinsic, cultural health, habitat, biodiversity, wild, scenic, natural, scientific, ecological and spiritual values.

Our drinking water from the ground is so clean we don’t need to treat it.

In the Tākaka FMU using freshwater is a privilege and we show our respect through reciprocity by giving back to the wai.

Tākaka FMU Values

Note: Text in brackets are values from engagement round 2 that have been merged into the associated value. Values in italics are relevant to the Water Conservation Order.

Value Type Values applying in FMU Values not applying in FMU

Compulsory National Values

  • Ecosystem Health (including Native fish spawning)
  • Human Contact (including Drinking from nature)
  • Mahinga Kai
  • Threatened Species

Other National Values

  • Natural form and character (including Natural state)
  • Irrigation, cultivation and production of food and beverages
  • Wai tapu
  • Transport and tauranga waka (including Navigation)
  • Hydroelectric generation
  • Fishing (including Trout habitat and spawning)
  • Animal drinking water
  • Commercial and industrial use (including Gravel aggregate resource)
  • Drinking water and supply

Other Community Values


  • Public access (including Aesthetics)
  • Resilience to climate change (including Infrastructure, Flooding and erosion management)
  • Kaitiakitanga / stewardship (including Respect for water, Education and research sites)

FMU Map

See the map of this FMU below. An interactive map showing all the Tasman Freshwater Management Units (including aerial photos) is available on our main website here.