What Is Hard Water in New Zealand – And How It Affects Your Skin & Hair

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, mainly:

• Calcium
• Magnesium

These minerals enter the water supply as rainwater passes through limestone, chalk, and mineral-rich rock before reaching aquifers and rivers.

Our NaturaWai shower filter incorporates special media like KDF55 which softens water, giving you highly improved shower water.

Hardness is usually measured in milligrams per litre (mg/L) of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃):

• Soft water: 0–60 mg/L
• Moderately hard: 60–120 mg/L
• Hard: 120–180 mg/L
• Very hard: 180+ mg/L

Is Hard Water Common in New Zealand?

Yes - hard water exists in many parts of NZ, especially where groundwater is used.

Areas more likely to experience harder water include:

• Parts of Canterbury
• Hawke’s Bay
• Wairarapa

Some regions of Auckland (depending on source and treatment)

While NZ water is generally safe to drink, hardness isn’t removed by standard municipal treatment, so those minerals still come out of your taps and showers.

How Hard Water Affects Your Skin

Dry, Tight Skin

Calcium and magnesium react with soap, forming soap scum that:

• Clings to the skin
• Blocks pores
• Prevents proper rinsing

This strips away your natural oils, leaving skin feeling:

• Tight
• Dry
• Itchy

Worsening of Eczema & Sensitive Skin

Studies show hard water can:

• Damage the skin barrier
• Increase inflammation
• Make eczema symptoms worse

For babies, children, and adults with sensitive skin, hard water can be a constant irritant.

Increased Irritation After Showering

If you’ve ever noticed your skin feels worse after a shower, hard water is often the reason - especially when combined with chlorine.

Dull, Dry Hair

Minerals coat the hair shaft, making it:

• Rough
• Heavy
• Less reflective

This is why hair washed in hard water often looks flat or lifeless, even with quality shampoo.

Scalp Irritation & Flaking

Mineral deposits + soap residue can:

• Dry out the scalp
• Trigger itchiness
• Worsen dandruff or sensitivity

This is especially noticeable in people who already struggle with scalp issues.

Signs You May Have Hard Water at Home

You might have hard water if you notice:

• White chalky marks on taps or shower glass
• Soap that doesn’t lather well
• Stiff towels after washing
• Dry skin or hair after showering
• Frequent scale buildup in kettles or appliances

Can You Fix Hard Water?

While you can’t change your local water source, you can treat it at the point of use.

Effective Options Include:

• Shower filters – reduce mineral impact, chlorine, and sediment before water touches your skin and hair
• Whole-house filtration – protects plumbing, appliances, and every tap
• Water softening or scale-reduction systems – minimise mineral attachment without harsh chemicals.

For many NZ homes, a high-quality shower filter is the fastest and most noticeable upgrade for skin and hair health.

Conclusion

Hard water is common in parts of New Zealand and often goes unnoticed - until it starts affecting your skin, hair, and comfort.

If you’re dealing with dryness, irritation, or dull hair despite using good products, your water quality may be the missing piece.

Check out our Shower Filter here, this is the easiest, cost-effective upgrade for 2026.

If you would like to look at whole-home softeners, we can incorporate this into our Pro-home systems.