Bill English may lift the minimum standard for NZ's rivers and streams.

Preparing New Zealand's water stores for a warmer climate is a major focus of new research projects just awarded more than $2 million.

Searchers are poised to go into the Southern Alps for an overdue Israeli tramper.

An east Auckland creek is full of dead fish and eels after a sewage leak caused by someone flushing wet wipes down the toilet.

Drowning a tragedy but dam flood to remain open as an attraction, says Taupo mayor.

A drone has been used to search for a missing 19-year-old who was swept away during a night swim in the Hutt River last night.

These are the high points from Labour and Greens' State of the Nation speeches this afternoon.

Kiwis "must be vigilant" about swimming in our rivers, a freshwater scientist says, with data often showing high levels of E. coli in waterways.

MAIN PIC MC270117NADSUP1.JPGStand up paddle boarder Marcus Hansen will soon be swapping the tranquil waters of Whangarei's Town Basin

The state of our rivers and lakes has predictably come under intensified focus this summer, as Kiwis head to their favourite watering holes.

Residents in parts of the country have been warned to brace for widespread flooding, slips and fast-rising rivers as the mid-week weather system hits.

The city council is applying to Environment Canterbury to continue discharging untreated wastewater into the waterways and harbours in emergencies.

The tourism industry's biggest challenge is coping with record growth and finding ways to fund infrastructure.

A controversial Greenpeace TV ad has been given the green light after the dairy industry attempted to shut it down.

It is an uncontroversial fact that the state of the country's freshwater resources has for decades been moving towards ecological collapse.

Creating "designer" ecosystems for degraded waterways could boost river restoration efforts around the country.

Search and rescue members using night vision goggles spotted the man floating on his malfunctioning jet-ski at around 2am.

Geonet say there is a 98 per cent chance of an aftershock of 6 to 6.9 magnitude in the next year.

Repairs to South Island stopbanks damaged in the Kaikōura earthquake is expected to cost nearly $700,000.

Police have today pulled a body from the Takaka River - that of missing man James Rano Dick, known locally as Hemi.

Farmers in quake-battered North Canterbury are rallying together, pitching in for supplies, sharing gear, and helping out on damaged properties.

The Wellington region could once again face slips, flooding, and further road closures as bad weather approaches.

COMMENT: Environment, drinking water and charges need to be dealt with separately, writes Iain Rabbitts.

A North American dishwashing liquid claims to smell like 'New Zealand springs' - let's hope they don't mean Rotorua.

Regional vegetable supplies could be at risk under the Waikato Regional Councils ‘Healthy Rivers’ plan according to vegetable growers in Northern Waikato. Made with funding from NZ on Air

His science background could be helpful in communicating Horizons Regional Council's activities more clearly to voters, Allan Wrigglesworth

A major study that's found taking water from our rivers has been hurting fishlife has prompted fresh recommendations to the Government.

Last week, the image of a herd of cows in a pristine high country lake provoked widespread outrage, writes Dame Anne Salmond. The mood of the country has changed.

If your stance on foreign ownership of prized New Zealand countryside is black or white, the case of Robert "Mutt" Lange reveals issues that are far from clear-cut.