The group was formed in June 2003.
It opposed the Project Aqua power scheme on the lower Waitaki River, which led to Meridian Energy cancelling it, and was involved in a water allocation plan for the Waitaki catchment, Meridian's north bank tunnel scheme, the Hunter Downs irrigation scheme and resource consent processes considering applications to use water in the lower and upper Waitaki catchments.
Now, chairwoman Helen Brookes said, "bureaucratic reasons" and recent decisions by an Environment Canterbury panel declining water for three large-scale dairy developments at Omarama and Ohau had led members to apply to the registrar of incorporated societies for voluntary dissolution.
Two of three companies involved in the dairy farm proposals had applied for voluntary liquidation after their applications for water for irrigation, vital to the developments, were declined.
A third company continues, but also had water declined and appealed to the Environment Court.
Dr Brookes said Waitaki First was pleased the threat of large-scale dairying in the upper Waitaki had now diminished.
Waitaki First was being pursued by the registrar of incorporated societies to file financial returns for the 2010 and 2011 financial years.
She said in recent years, Waitaki First had had no funds and had closed its bank account.
It provided that information, but was asked for it to be audited.
"How can you audit nothing?" she asked.
It had now provided the returns - "zero in every box".
Last month, it applied for voluntary dissolution, but had not yet had a response.
Dr Brookes said she was comfortable with the organisation now stepping aside.
Waitaki First's constitution would remain in existence, so the organisation could be re-formed if it was warranted, she said.
In recent years, the organisation has relied on a few keen members and their expertise, with Dr Brookes leading the work.
Waitaki First was formed after a public meeting on June 19, 2003.
The group arose from other groups fighting the Project Aqua power scheme and was aimed at people who felt they might not fit within those other organisations.
One of its roles was to take the fight against Project Aqua nationwide, raising national awareness of the power scheme and its effects.
Boosted by support from experts in universities who gave their time voluntarily, it organised meetings as far away as Auckland and Christchurch, including one in Parliament itself for members of Parliament.
Once Project Aqua was cancelled, Waitaki First continued its work to preserve the river.
It provided a well-researched case in 2005 to the Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Board, appointed by the Government to prepare a water allocation plan for the Waitaki catchment.
Then it presented submissions on the Meridian Energy north bank tunnel electricity scheme and the Meridian Energy-South Canterbury Irrigation Trust Hunter Downs irrigation scheme to both Environment Canterbury and the Environment Court.
