2026 Freshwater Champions award winners named for their contribution to water body ecology.

The Cawthron Institute, with the support of the NZ Landcare Trust, has identified five winners whose activities are aimed at improving the health of the country's freshwater ecosystems. In total, over 60 applications were submitted by individuals, families, communities, and iwi.

The "Established Catchment Champion" title was awarded to the Lake Rotorua farming community (Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective and Te Arawa Arataua). Since 2005, farmers, in collaboration with scientists and authorities, have been working to reduce losses of nutrients. Under the Lake Rotorua Incentives Scheme, more than 6,600 ha of land have been transitioned to low-nitrogen leaching practices. Additionally, practices such as fencing off water bodies, restoring wetlands, and removing vulnerable land from grazing have been implemented, which has allowed for the achievement of nitrogen reduction targets ahead of the 2027 goals.

The Arapārera Community Catchment Society was honored with the "Early Impact Award" for measures to restore an 8,800 ha catchment following Cyclone Gabrielle. The initiative includes planting more than 3,000 native trees, monitoring fish and water quality, as well as studying the freshwater mussel population.

The Riddiford Whānau was recognized with the "Individual/Family Actions Award." Founded in 2021, their Ruamāhanga Farm Foundation is engaged in restoring 8 ha of riparian forest and wetlands. Sam Ludden received the "Engagement Award" for popularizing knowledge about freshwater through art, ceramics, and educational projects in the Wairarapa region.

The "Te Ao Māori Award" was won by the Mana Moana Three Lakes group, which united the Whakakī Lake Trust, Wairewa Rūnaka, and Lake Ōmāpere Trust. Their project for protecting culturally significant lakes is based on a combination of mātauranga Māori and environmental science. Dr. Te Kipa Kepa Brian Morgan was honored with special recognition for developing the Mauri Model and mauriOmeter tools to assess the health of water bodies.

Representatives of the Cawthron Institute noted that these examples prove the effectiveness of practical local actions in the face of increasing pressure on water resources.