Water activists demanded the regional council protect Canterbury's rivers and aquifers from commercial interests.
Many raised concerns about government actions and offshore companies, but a reccuring message throughout the rally was protecting our children.
Artist and activist Sam Mahon spoke at the rally, and voiced his concerns for the future of our country.
"When I grew up, every river in the country, I could drink out of. That's all been taken away by this Government and given to private enterprise. That belongs to our kids, that belongs to you," Mahon said.
"If we can distract people from the trivia of life and say this land is so important. Without this land, we're really taking kids."