Riparian characteristics of pastoral waterways in the Waikato region, 2002-2022

The Regional Riparian Characteristics Survey aims to assess the state and trend of key riparian attributes (including fencing, vegetation, buffer width, waterway crossings, and stream-bank erosion) at various sites within pastoral land across the Waikato region.

The first survey was undertaken in 2002 and was subsequently repeated at approximately 5-year intervals in 2007, 2012, 2017, and 2022.

This report presents the findings from the most recent survey, conducted during the summer and autumn of 2022/23, hereafter referred to as the ‘2022 survey’.

In addition to presenting the current state of riparian margins across the region, this report also examines changes in key variables such as fencing and vegetation over the past 5, 10, 15, and 20-year monitoring periods.

Report: TR 2024/04

Authors: T. Norris, H. Jones (Waikato Regional Council), and M. Kimberley (Environmental Statistics Ltd)