Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) abstract water from the Pokaiwhenua Stream for use in the operation of the Kinleith Pulp and Paper Mill. A proposed conversion from pine plantation to dairy farming of an area of approximately 62 km2 upstream of the abstraction point provided impetus for a baseline survey to determine current ecological condition and characteristics of the stream above and below the abstraction point, prior to dairy conversion. This will provide a useful dataset for differentiating potential effects associated with landuse change and those already present as a consequence of the existing water abstraction. A survey of physical habitat, aquatic plants, macroinvertebrates, fish and water quality was undertaken.