News release
18 November 2005
Are you thinking about constructing a pond?
Not all ponds are created equal. Some are both interesting and attractive - while others can smell badly, have insect
plagues, algal blooms, aquatic weed infestations and pest fish. To add to this, poorly sited and designed ponds can
destroy habitat, degrade water quality and damage streams and wetlands.
So you’re thinking about a pond…is a new Guide put together by Greater Wellington with help from Boffa Miskell. It aims
to help lifestyle-block owners, farmers, developers, duck enthusiasts and landscape architects overcome issues and
problems they may face when constructing a pond. The Guide also gives advice on how to plan, design and maintain a
healthy pond.
Melanie Dixon, Policy Advisor Greater Wellington says the Guide was written as a direct response to the growing
popularity of artificial ponds as landscape features. ‘A number of ponds in the Wellington region have been badly
designed, built in the wrong place, or poorly maintained. Many of these ponds then end up causing environmental problems
and occasionally damage existing streams and wetlands.’
Melanie’s quick to point out the Guide’s not just for people who want to build a pond. If you already have a pond
there’s advice to help make your pond more sustainable by improving its water quality and appearance.
The guidelines are available on Greater Wellington’s website: www.gw.govt.nz/wetlands. There are also a number of
limited ‘hard copies’ available.
ENDS