This dissertation is concerned with the land and plants beside fresh water in the New Zealand cultural landscape - the landscape which has been modified by people to some extent. The aim is to suggest some design and management guidelines for these waterside areas, and thereby encourage their full potential in the landscape. Most of the information is presented as general guidelines so as to be useful to more people overall, but any site with special character or uniqueness will need a more individual approach to get the best results. Waterside areas and the plants growing in them offer real fringe benefits. They are necessary for successful long term management of land and water, and can be considered as both a design and management tool.