Living and natural pools are rising in popularity in New Zealand. Here's why.

Natural and living pools are a popular chemical-free alternative to traditional swimming pools in New Zealand.

Natural pools use a plant-filled "regeneration zone" for organic filtration, blending into the landscape. Living pools, a concept from Biotop, have a more conventional look but use an underground bio-filter system.

Both options avoid skin and eye irritation from chlorine, offering clear, "living" water. Natural Pools NZ reports strong interest, having installed around 50 of these environmentally friendly projects nationwide.