While the demand for groundwater has increased throughout New Zealand, there are still significant knowledge gaps in the understanding of most regional aquifer systems. To address those knowledge gaps, close to 30,000 line-km of airborne TEM data have been collected in New Zealand for groundwater characterisation over the past five years. GNS is currently involved in five regional projects (Hawke's Bay, Greater Wellington, Northland, Tairwhiti (Gisborne) and Southland), working closely with local water managers and communities. The data interpretation and hydrogeological models resulting from those surveys will greatly improve the understanding of NZ's regional aquifers and inform opportunities for economic diversification in increasingly resource pressured environments. Extensive communication is undertaken in each region prior to the survey, ensuring engagement and interest of the general public. In Northland, the Te Hiku Water Study project is the result of an integrated, community-led water management and economic development plan. The project proposal was initially developed by the community and involved a significant level of community engagement. The team members' advocacy for the project in the community has been a valuable element of building local buy-in to the project. We are looking into expanding the use of SkyTEM to other regions of New Zealand, primarily to help inform water management, but also to subsequently contribute information to researchers in other disciplines (e.g., fault mapping, coastal depositional processes, geological mapping etc.).

Open-Access Online Publication: November 3, 2023