Municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals in New Zealand
New Zealand: Municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals was 11.1% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals in New Zealand, 1985–2022
Source: AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, FAO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of total freshwater withdrawal.
Analysis
New Zealand recorded 11.1% for municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals in 2022.
That represents a change of down 1.0% on the previous year and down 18.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals in New Zealand peaked at 46.0% in 1985 and was at its lowest, 9.2%, in 2016.
That places New Zealand 132nd out of 180 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | % of total freshwater withdrawal | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 46.0% | — |
| 1986 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 46.0% | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 25.8% | -44.0% |
| 2001 | 25.1% | -2.6% |
| 2002 | 24.6% | -2.0% |
| 2003 | 24.2% | -1.6% |
| 2004 | 23.9% | -1.3% |
| 2005 | 23.6% | -1.1% |
| 2006 | 23.4% | -0.9% |
| 2007 | 21.4% | -8.7% |
| 2008 | 19.4% | -9.3% |
| 2009 | 17.4% | -10.0% |
| 2010 | 15.6% | -10.7% |
| 2011 | 14.6% | -6.4% |
| 2012 | 13.6% | -7.0% |
| 2013 | 12.5% | -7.7% |
| 2014 | 11.5% | -8.5% |
| 2015 | 10.4% | -9.5% |
| 2016 | 9.2% | -10.8% |
| 2017 | 9.5% | +2.8% |
| 2018 | 10.0% | +5.3% |
| 2019 | 10.2% | +2.0% |
| 2020 | 11.3% | +10.9% |
| 2021 | 11.2% | -1.0% |
| 2022 | 11.1% | -1.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 46.0% | 46.0% | 46.0% | 5 |
| 1990s | 46.0% | 46.0% | 46.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 22.9% | 17.4% | 25.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.7% | 9.2% | 15.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.3% | 3 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
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- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.379 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.23 °C (2025)
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- Other industrial roundwood, non-coniferous (production) — Production -100 % change on previous year (1990)
- Sawnwood — Production, annual growth rate 11.44 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals in New Zealand?
- Municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals in New Zealand was 11.1% in 2022, according to AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, FAO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 46.0% in 1985.
- What is the lowest municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.2% in 2016.
- How does New Zealand rank for municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals?
- New Zealand ranks 132nd out of 180 countries with data for 2022.
- Is municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, FAO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Municipal water as a share of total water withdrawals. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Municipal (domestic) water withdrawals as a percentage of total water withdrawals (which is the sum of water used for agriculture, industry, and municipal purposes).