Water in the Waikato
Water always runs downhill, from mountains to sea. In the Waikato, individual drops of freshwater begin their journey in the catchment around Lake Taupō and travel through the Waikato River all the way to Port Waikato. The Waikato River receives water from other sources along the way – groundwater, precipitation and tributaries. The Waikato River is a huge source of water for both the Waikato and Auckland regions.
Pirongia forest stream
Several streams have their origins on the slopes of Pirongia Mountain. Each stream has its own water catchment area and feeds into larger water catchments in the Waikato region. This stream feeds into the Waipā River, which joins the Waikato River at Ngāruawāhia.
There are a variety of methods used in the Waikato region to collect water to use for drinking. They include pumping water from the Waikato River, smaller streams and aquifers. Roof water is also collected and used in rural areas.
This activity is part of a suite of resources that support Smart Water – a context for learning, which provides students and teachers with opportunities to connect with water and learn more about drinking water in the Waikato region. The science and mātauranga concepts that underpin Smart Water are transferable to other locations in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In this activity, students explore the major freshwater features and sources of water for the Waikato region.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
recognise major water bodies in the region
identify water sources for Waikato.
Download the Word file (see link below).
