The future of irrigation

Earlier this month the government announced it has begun winding down public funding for largescale irrigation through Crown Irrigation Investments Limited.

In the days that followed, there was various commentary and media reports about the impact of this decision on New Zealand’s provinces, Northland included.

As Minister for Regional Economic Development, and as a New Zealand First MP, I had concerns about the ramifications of winding down the irrigation schemes the Crown had in the pipeline, but I want to reassure people that this government knows the importance of water to our regions, and the role water will play in helping diversify and future-proof regional economies.

We recognise that year-round water availability is important for drier areas of New Zealand.

The coalition agreement said the Crown would honour existing funding commitments, so the Crown will see out the completion of Central Plains Water Stage 2 in Canterbury, the construction of the Kurow-Duntroon scheme in South Canterbury, and the construction of the Waimea community dam in Nelson-Tasman.

While some other schemes did not make it over the line, I’m pleased to be able to say that the Provincial Growth Fund, which I oversee, will consider small-scale water storage projects on a case-by-case basis.

I’d like to see Northland becoming active in water storage proposals for the purposes of economic growth. Smaller, locally-led and environmentally robust projects will help more of our vital regions better prepare for increasingly recurring climatic events, such as drought.

Any proposed water storage projects would be expected to meet criteria demonstrating strong alignment with the objectives of the Provincial Growth Fund, and in particular must be environmentally sustainable and deliver benefits across a community.

We have a vision for a resilient primary sector striving for value over volume, and this means water storage must be environmentally and economically viable, with vital regional infrastructure supported by the government.

Northland has enormous opportunity here to lead the way for the new age of water storage, and you have my word that I’ll support the right proposals around the Cabinet table.

"Smaller, locally-led and environmentally robust [water storage] projects will help more of our vital regions better prepare for increasingly recurring climatic events, such as drought. "