In late summer to autumn 1987, 96 rivers throughout New Zealand were sampled in baseflow (< median flow) conditions, usually on three separate occasions. A wide range of water quality determinands were analysed to characterise water quality comprehensively at lower than median flows. River waters in New Zealand range widely in composition, particularly plant nutrients, but tend to be more dilute than world average freshwater (WAFW) because run‐off (specific yield) of water is generally high. Sodium and calcium are the most important cations in New Zealand rivers which can be described as “calcium‐sodium bicarbonate waters”, whereas WAFW is calcium bicarbonate water. Almost all river sites met existing guidelines and standards for drinking water, ecological protection, and freshwater fisheries.