A water conservation order is a legal ruling to protect aspects of water bodies. It may be to protect the quantity of the water itself or for any issues relating to the water body as a whole.
In New Zealand a Water Conservation Order is used to protect the natural, cultural and recreational values of any water body.[1]
There are currently 14 separate Water Conservation Orders:[2]
A water conservation order has been proposed for the Hurunui River in the South Island.