Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere: State of the Lake 2017

Abstract

Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere, a brackish lagoon on the eastern side of the South Island near Christchurch, is New Zealand’s fifth largest lake by area. The lake has very diverse values including for Ngai Tahu, for fish, birds, native vegetation, recreation and the economy generally. Over previous decades the water quality of the lake and some other indicators have deteriorated badly as a result of land use intensification. Integrated approaches to lake management are now being undertaken but how successful are these in reversing the negative trends in some indicators. This state of the lake report covers a set of nine indicator areas, linked to the four well-beings: environmental, economic, social and cultural. The report shows most indicators are static – some are in a good state but some specifics including two endangered native birds, the crested grebe and bittern, are in a very bad state.