Freshwater Champions 2026: Celebrating Freshwater Restoration
The NZ Landcare Trust-Ngā Matapopore Whenua is proud to support the 2026 Freshwater Champions event, a national initiative led by the Cawthron Institute. This event honours individuals and groups working to protect and restore Aotearoa New Zealand’s freshwater ecosystems.
Freshwater Champions highlights the farmers, iwi, community groups, businesses, and agencies making a real difference in our rivers, lakes, wetlands, and estuaries.
Evolving from the New Zealand River Awards (est. 2013), the event now takes a broader, catchment-focused approach. Rather than ranking winners, it showcases leadership, collaboration, and practical, on-the-ground action.
The initiative recognises that improving freshwater health is a shared effort, involving farm system changes, riparian planting, wetland restoration, and community engagement.
Nominations for the 2026 Freshwater Champions close on 23 March 2026.
This is your chance to:
- Share success stories from your catchment.
- Highlight effective freshwater restoration efforts.
- Celebrate leadership and collaboration.
- Build credibility and a national profile.
- Inspire with proven solutions.
After nominations close, a panel of water quality scientists, freshwater ecologists, and social scientists will review submissions based on:
- The freshwater challenges addressed.
- On-the-ground actions and results.
- Leadership and advocacy.
- Community impact.
- Sustainability and long-term planning.
Selected champions will be recognised at the 2026 Freshwater event, which includes inspiring speakers, panel discussions, and a field trip to a local waterway.
Nominate your Freshwater Champion here.
Read more about the criteria here