Groundwater

Groundwater is 3D and connected to geology, recharge and surface water. A point layer of wells is only the monitored access to that system.

LAWA

LAWA currently displays groundwater quality from more than 1,000 monitored wells across Aotearoa and publishes national downloadable monitoring/state/trend data. The latest national picture uses data through the end of 2024.

Indicators include nitrate nitrogen, E. coli, chloride, dissolved reactive phosphorus and electrical conductivity.

Regional councils

Regional/unitary councils are the primary source for local:

• well/bore locations
• groundwater levels
• aquifer or groundwater-zone mapping
• allocation/water-take information
• monitoring programme details
• local hydrogeological reports

Mapping cautions

• well depth/screens matter; nearby wells may sample different aquifers
• a groundwater-zone polygon is a model/management geography, not an underground wall
• quality at one well is not automatically the quality beneath an entire whenua block
• coastward gradients can interact with seawater intrusion

Use LAWA groundwater then move to the relevant council source for detailed local interpretation.

Last reviewed: 26 August 2026