Damon Birchfield, Lois Easton.
This paper considers the breadth and scope of demand management water conservation/retrofit initiatives taking place within and across New Zealand.
At present, there is very little effective or comprehensive strategic activity in this area, and that few councils have identified and implemented programmes to significantly reduce annual water consumption per capita at the household level.
The research identifies the imperatives for reduction of water consumption in New Zealand and details some of the initiatives being used in other countries including those facing more immediately obvious and pressing water scarcity and supply issues. In particular, most cities in Australia have now identified significant reduction targets for annual water consumption per capita and have initiated a broad range of measures and programmes to reduce water consumption. Impressive water savings from the Sydney programme are highlighted.