FMC is delighted to welcome Whitewater New Zealand (WWNZ) as our 99th affiliated club.
Representing 15 kayaking and canoe clubs, and a total of 1000 members, WWNZ’s mission is to protect and restore Aotearoa’s whitewater rivers and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.
Wherever you find the interests of whitewater paddlers, WWNZ has been an active advocate. Their voice is strong for conservation of river environmental values: such as defending wild rivers like the Waitaha from unwise and unnecessary hydro developments. When hydro schemes have gone ahead, they’ve worked with the generation companies to ensure recreational releases of water, and with communities to build assets such as the Hawea Whitewater Park and Tekapo Whitewater Course.
WWNZ also advocates on water quality issues and legislative reform with local and central government and is in the midst of a long battle to secure a meaningful Water Conservation Order (WCO) for the upper section of the Ngaruroro River.
Almost like a ‘national park’ for a river corridor, a WCO protects a river’s ecological and recreational value through ensuring sufficient water flows and preventing excessive water take where irrigation and hydro electric schemes are concerned.
Meanwhile WWNZ celebrates and encourages their paddling community, with online river guides, holding paddle events and photo competitions.
WWNZ has long been a kindred organisation, and we’ve worked alongside one another on issues such as the Waitaha River and Griffin Creek hydro proposals.
Whitewater NZ looks forward to working with FMC to protect, and enhance outdoor recreation, together offering a strong voice on behalf of all paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts.
They also provide expert contributions to river safety concerts and the never-ending task of enabling and protecting access to and from rivers. Recently they were able to negotiate a day’s access to the Motatapu River, near Wānaka:
To learn more about Whitewater New Zealand, visit whitewater.nz and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Images supplied by Whitewater New Zealand, from their 2021 Photo competition.
