Potential groundwater recharge zones across New Zealand

Knowledge of groundwater recharge potential is required for sustainable groundwater management, including the assessment of vulnerability to contamination. This study maps (at 500m x 500m resolution) the potential groundwater recharge zones across New Zealand using national data sets of lithology, slope, aspect, land use, soil drainage and drainage density. Weights to the factor was calculated by three different methods. Five potential groundwater recharge zones were defined across New Zealand. The maps can be used to identify areas of high nutrient leaching in zones where high groundwater recharge potential exists (regions with large lakes and in the lower elevation plains).