Section 199 — Resource Management Act 1991: Purpose of water conservation orders

199 Purpose of water conservation orders (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Part 2 , the purpose of a water conservation order is to recognise and sustain— (a) Outstanding amenity or intrinsic values which are afforded by waters in their natural state: (b) Where waters are no longer in their natural state, the amenity or intrinsic values of those waters which in themselves warrant protection because they are considered outstanding. (2) A water conservation order may provide for any of the following: (a) The preservation as far as possible in its natural state of any water body that is considered to be outstanding: (b) The protection of characteristics which any water body has or contributes to, and which are considered to be outstanding,— (i) As a habitat for terrestrial or aquatic organisms: (ii) As a fishery: (iii) For its wild, scenic, or other natural characteristics: (iv) For scientific and ecological values: (v) For recreational, historical, spiritual, or cultural purposes: (c) The protection of characteristics which any water body has or contributes to, and which are considered to be of outstanding significance in accordance with tikanga Maori.