Commentary: Trends and Tensions in Freshwater and Fisheries Management in Central Otago, New Zealand

Recent resource management planning processes and decisions in Central Otago, New Zealand, illustrate changes in policy direction for freshwater management. These processes and decisions also highlight interactions between, and values associated with, indigenous and introduced sports fish. We assess the outcomes of resource management planning decisions on four river catchments in Central Otago: Nevis, Kye Burn, Lindis and Manuherekia—all of which have been controversial—and comment on environmental protection, water allocation outcomes and subsequent management activities, including those associated with freshwater fisheries, outdoor recreation and regional economic development. We position our discussion in a context of rapid regional economic, social and population change and conclude by emphasising that because of this change, there is a likelihood of increasing complexity in perspectives on freshwater and sustained future political contest over the directions of freshwater management in Central Otago.