Water is important for everyone in Canterbury, whether it is used for drinking, recreational activities such as boating or fishing, irrigation for farming, or industry. Others simply value water as a part of our environment.

A Water Management Strategy framework for Canterbury has now been completed under the leadership of the Mayoral Forum a group of mayors and chief executives from all of Canterbury's councils. The Mayoral Forum set a clear direction that the future management of Canterbury's water resources was to be developed in partnership with communities. A Steering Group was charged with making this happen.

This framework is a considerable update on the draft strategy (published in September 2009), and summarises the overall approach and the delivery models for the sustainable management and development of the region’s water resources in the years ahead.

Implementation projects will take each of the elements of the strategy through a design, development and implementation process. Stakeholders will be engaged throughout this process and the results will be written up in progress papers, which will be published on this website and notified through the CWMS e-newsletter.

Key documents

Canterbury Water Management Strategy Framework Document
Implementation timetable
Summary of submissions
Questions & answers

Information and resources

On this website you will find a range of information and resources backgrounding development of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. This includes:
Context for the programme
Who is involved in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy
Programme consultation process and timing
Newsletters
Background from previous stages
How to get involved
FAQs