Community get to see progress at Otawere reservoir

Growth fund project aimed at unlocking horticultural potential

Work is progressing on the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri, one of three key water storage projects in the region. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones visited the site earlier this month and said he is looking forward to the day when the Northland water projects are running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region.

Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir. The event was hosted by Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust to give locals and stakeholders an update on progress.

A total of $19 million in loans was provided through the Provincial Growth Fund, operated by the Labour/NZ First coalition Government, for the construction and other work involved on the 4 million cubic metre reservoir. Work started on the project in September 2023.

The trust says the projects are about developing water storage and distribution schemes that enable a shift to higher-value land uses, while caring for the environment and local communities.

The plan was to initiate water storage and distribution schemes in areas in Northland that have high

In addition to the establishment of environmentally sustainable and commercially viable horticulture, these projects are providing economic development and employment in the region. Shane Jones

quality soils, and therefore horticultural potential. They will provide infrastructure to develop approximately 7000ha of new horticulture.

The Otawere reservoir is one of three water projects managed by Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust.

“In addition to the establishment of environmentally sustainable and commercially viable horticulture, these projects are providing economic development and employment in the region,” Jones said.

“Once they are all up and running, they will provide even more benefits. Previously low-value horticultural land will be able to be used for highervalue crops, which will benefit iwi, their communities and the local economy.

“They could also provide additional capacity for municipal water supply, with the ability of district councils to buy shares in the schemes. This means water shortages in towns such as Kaikohe and Dargaville could be mitigated.”

Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust was created in mid-2020 to initiate water storage and distribution schemes in Northland. Over the past three years the trust has:

● Designed and had consented three reservoirs and associated infrastructure.

● Completed construction of the 750,000 cubic metre Matawii water storage reservoir, near Kaikohe.

● Largely completed the 3.3 million cubic metre Te Waihekeora water storage reservoir in Kaipara.

● Installed around 20km of mainline.

● Built six pump stations and two stream intakes.