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Waingongoro River at Opunake Road

The Waingongoro River rises on the south-eastern slopes of Taranaki Maunga and is one of the longest ring plain rivers. This river is a major trout fishery in Taranaki and is also subjected to water abstractions. The Opunake Road site is an upper reach site 7 kilometres downstream of the National Park boundary at an altitude of 380 metres above sea level, and is subject to agricultural impacts.

Macroinvertebrate data for Taranaki shown on LAWA may vary from some data reported elsewhere by the Taranaki Regional Council. This variation is because the level of macroinvertebrate identification used by the TRC has some minor differences from that used by other Councils and LAWA, affecting the taxonomic richness and % EPT taxa scores. Taranaki Regional Council also uses Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) scores which have been modified to reflect the conditions experienced in Taranaki, while the scores shown here are based on the National MCI scores. For more details, the full state of the environment report is available at https://www.trc.govt.nz/council/plans-and-reports/environmental/environmental-monitoring-technical-reports/

Ecology
Ecological data for this site

This dashboard shows information on macroinvertebrate data collected by regional councils and unitary authorities.  Select an indicator to see the available historical results.

Select a time period

  • 10 years
  • 15 years

Macroinvertebrates

MCI
{{medianValue('MCI')}}
State

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Attribute Band
Trend
{{trendMsg(MCI)}}

Sample history at this site

Showing:
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MCI samples for Waingongoro River at Opunake Road
MCI score

What is this graph showing me?

This graph is displaying MCI scores over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state and trends displayed on the dashboard.

Find out about how State and Trend are calculated.

What do the attribute band icons mean?

The bands for MCI are as outlined in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020

A
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of pristine conditions with almost no organic pollution or nutrient enrichment.
B
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of mild organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. Largely composed of taxa sensitive to organic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
C
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of moderate organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. There is a mix of taxa sensitive and insensitive to organic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
National bottom line: MCI score 90
D
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of severe organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. Communities are largely composed of taxa insensitive to inorganic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
 Download data
QMCI
{{medianValue('QMCI')}}
State

{{nofDisplayGradeEcology(QMCI.NofBand)}}

Attribute Band
Trend
{{trendMsg(QMCI)}}

Sample history at this site

Showing:
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QMCI samples for Waingongoro River at Opunake Road
QMCI score

What is this graph showing me?

This graph is displaying QMCI scores over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state and trends displayed on the dashboard.

Find out about how State and Trend are calculated.

What do the attribute band icons mean?

The bands for QMCI are as outlined in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020

A
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of pristine conditions with almost no organic pollution or nutrient enrichment.
B
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of mild organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. Largely composed of taxa sensitive to organic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
C
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of moderate organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. There is a mix of taxa sensitive and insensitive to organic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
National bottom line: QMCI score 4.5
D
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of severe organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. Communities are largely composed of taxa insensitive to inorganic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
 Download data
ASPM
{{medianValue('ASPM')}}
State

{{nofDisplayGradeEcology(ASPM.NofBand)}}

Attribute Band
Trend
{{trendMsg(ASPM)}}

Sample history at this site

Showing:
–
ASPM samples for Waingongoro River at Opunake Road
ASPM score

What is this graph showing me?

This graph is displaying ASPM scores over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state and trends displayed on the dashboard.

Find out about how State and Trend are calculated.

What do the attribute band icons mean?

The bands for ASPM are as outlined in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020

A
Macroinvertebrate communities have high ecological integrity, similar to that expected in reference conditions.
B
Macroinvertebrate communities have mild-to moderate loss of ecological integrity.
C
Macroinvertebrate communities have moderate-to-severe loss of ecological integrity.
National bottom line: ASPM score 0.3
D
Macroinvertebrate communities have severe loss of ecological integrity.
 Download data
  • Taxonomic richness

    The median of the last 5 years of data

    {{medianValue("TaxaRichness")}}
    Taxonomic richness is the number of different taxa present in an ecological community identified to the best possible level.

    Taxa richness history at this site

    Showing:
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    Taxa richness for Waingongoro River at Opunake Road
    Number of taxa

    What is this graph showing me?

    This graph is displaying Taxonomic richness over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state displayed on the dashboard.

  • Percent EPT richness

    The median of the last 5 years of data

    {{medianValue("PercentageEPTTaxa")}}
    EPT are macroinvertebrates that are sensitive to water pollution. These are Ephemeroptera (mayfly), Plecoptera (stonefly) and Trichoptera (caddisfly).

    EPT history at this site

    Showing:
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    Percent EPT richness for Waingongoro River at Opunake Road
    EPT %

    What is this graph showing me?

    This graph is displaying percent EPT taxa over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state displayed on the dashboard.
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