Why Wetlands Matter: our practitioners explain the value of freshwater ecological networks

Recognising the important role of healthy water‑sensitive environments in building climate‑resilient communities is more crucial than ever

Ashley says, "Wetlands are often called nature’s kidneys because of their remarkable ability to filter and purify water as it moves through the landscape. As water enters a wetland, it slows down, allowing sediments, silt, and organic material to settle out and become trapped among dense vegetation and soils. This simple process alone helps keep downstream rivers, lakes, and estuaries clearer and healthier.

"Beneath the surface, wetlands get even more impressive. Microorganisms living in wetland soils and around plant roots break down or transform excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which commonly come from agricultural and urban runoff. Wetland plants also absorb these nutrients and store them in their biomass, reducing the risk of algal blooms and oxygen depletion downstream. Wetlands can even capture and transform other pollutants, including heavy metals and chemicals, into less harmful forms.

"These water-cleansing benefits are closely linked to wetlands’ role in storing carbon. Waterlogged, oxygen-poor soils slow decomposition, allowing organic carbon to accumulate for centuries. This same saturated environment supports the microbial processes that clean our water, making wetlands powerful allies for both water quality and climate resilience."

Rangitahi explains, "Wetlands hold profound cultural, spiritual, and historical importance within a Te Ao Māori worldview. They are living repositories of mauri (life force), sustaining the balance between people, land, and water. Historically wetlands were essential sources of mahinga kai (food-gathering) to our tūpuna (ancestors), providing tuna (eel), manu (birds), and plant materials/ species such as raupō (Bulrush - Typha orientalis) and harakeke (New Zealand flax - Phormium tenax) used for weaving and daily life. These landscapes carried the stories of tūpuna through historic archaeological features including, pā sites (fortified village), kāinga (village/ settlement), and pathways of occupation.

"Wai (water) is central to identity and wellbeing, and wetlands act as a repository of this life‑giving resource. Te Ao Māori nurture puna (freshwater spring), filter waterways, and support ecosystems that have long sustained communities. Wetlands are also places of ritual, reflection, and cultural practice, reinforcing whakapapa (genealogical) connections to whenua (land) and atua (supernatural being). Protecting these environments upholds kaitiakitanga (stewardship), ensuring that the cultural, ecological, and historical richness of these landscapes endures for future generations."

Charles says, "Wetlands sit at the heart of New Zealand’s natural environment and are one of our most highly valued, and most vulnerable, ecosystems. From a planning perspective, they are critical not only for their biodiversity values, but also for the essential services they provide: filtering water, reducing flood risk, storing carbon, amenity enhancement, and supporting cultural connections for tangata whenua.

"Over decades, many of Aotearoa’s wetlands have been drained or modified through land development and land use change. As a result, modern planning frameworks place strong emphasis on their protection, restoration, and, where possible, enhancement. This reflects a growing recognition of the cumulative loss of wetlands nationally, and their essential function in supporting healthy ecosystems and communities.

"For planners, wetlands present both a responsibility and an opportunity. They require careful identification, robust effects assessment, and thoughtful integration into planning decisions. At the same time, they offer opportunities to improve outcomes through restoration, better design, and alignment with wider freshwater and climate objectives.

Jeremy explains, "From an ecological perspective, wetlands are among New Zealand’s most valuable ecosystems for biodiversity. Although today they occupy less than two percent of our land area, wetlands support a disproportionately high number of native species, many of which are rare or threatened. They provide essential habitat for wetland‑dependent birds such as matuku‑hūrepo (Australasian bittern), fernbird, pāteke (brown teal), and pūweto (spotless crake), as well as important freshwater species including tuna, īnanga, and mudfish.

"Wetlands also sustain highly diverse communities of invertebrates, which underpin freshwater food webs and support wider ecosystem function. Native wetland vegetation, including raupō, sedges, rushes, and peat‑forming plants, creates structurally complex habitats that species rely on for shelter, breeding, and foraging.

"From a landscape perspective, wetlands play a critical role as ecological connectors, linking rivers, lakes, and coastal environments and supporting species movement across catchments. Given that around 90% of New Zealand’s original wetlands have been lost, the protection and restoration of remaining wetlands is one of the most effective actions we can take to conserve indigenous biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem resilience for future generations."

Ella says, "Stormwater wetlands play a crucial role in supporting healthy ecosystems and resilient communities. When guided by thoughtful master planning and holistic design thinking, these landscapes not only improve water quality and reduce flooding but also enhance long‑term ecological health and support the people who gather there.

"The Ahuriri Regional Park Masterplan in Napier brings this vision to life. Integrated around an extensive 85‑hectare stormwater treatment wetland, the project transforms a low‑lying, flood‑prone site into a thriving ecological and recreational landscape. The system is designed to slowly filter urban runoff through the wetland before returning to Te Whanganui‑ā‑Orotū estuary. Its ability to clean water, support native species, sequester carbon, and adapt to changing conditions makes wetlands like this essential to a climate‑resilient future.

"Projects like Ahuriri are special to work on as they show what’s possible when we design landscapes as living, evolving systems that care for both the environment and surrounding communities. The masterplan weaves ecological restoration with cultural and recreational values, guided by the identity of its place. It revives cultural storytelling, mahinga kai practices, and creates environmentally sensitive recreational spaces which will be a vibrant hub of connection, education, and ecological resilience for both current and future generations to enjoy.

"Thoughtful design of stormwater wetlands like this is vital to Aotearoa’s future. Their long‑term benefits — from cleaner waterways to richer biodiversity and community wellbeing — are exponential. "

Te Wai Ora, Te Taiao Ora – Healthy Water, Thriving Nature.