Source: Statistics New Zealand
Freshwater physical habitat: Data to 2024 – indicator
22 June 2026
Freshwater physical habitat is a fundamental indicator of the condition of Aotearoa New Zealand’s river ecosystems, underpinning the structure and function of aquatic communities by influencing where aquatic organisms can live. Understanding changes in habitat condition is critical to assessing the extent and impact of human activities on freshwater ecosystems.
We report on the current state of New Zealand’s freshwater physical habitat condition using the median habitat quality score calculated from data recorded at monitored river sites between 2020 and 2024. We also report on the relationship between upstream human modified land cover and physical habitat condition at monitored river sites.
Habitat quality scores are made up of 10 habitat parameters at each assessed site:
deposited sediment
invertebrate habitat diversity
invertebrate habitat abundance
fish cover abundance
fish cover diversity
hydraulic heterogeneity
bank erosion
bank vegetation
riparian width
riparian shade.