Monitoring the state of New Zealand rivers: How the River Values Assessment System can help

Abstract

The River Values Assessment System (RiVAS) is a standardised multi-criteria analysis approach for developing river rankings for diverse values (e.g. irrigation, whitewater kayaking, native birds) to aid decision-making regarding various aspects of river management. The method identifies primary attributes that characterise the value and an indicator for each. Eleven values have been, or are being, implemented. In this paper, the distribution of primary attributes and indicators by value are mapped. Almost all values require some sort of ‘count’ data (especially recreational and ecological values) and most require water quantity or water quality data. Conversely, some values require data solely pertinent to that value. The tangata whenua (indigenous peoples of New Zealand) value is the most holistic. Findings suggest that comprehensive state of the environment reporting for rivers requires data additional to that currently collected, especially recreation-related data. RiVAS provides a useful framework for thinking strategically about monitoring and reporting.