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IrrigationNZ Risk Partner
FMG is delighted to continue its partnership with IrrigationNZ and support it to create an environment where irrigation is part of a thriving and sustainable New Zealand.
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As a mutual, FMG wants to help build strong and prosperous rural communities and recognises the important part irrigation development across New Zealand contributes to this.
“We see a lot of value in continuing our relationship with IrrigationNZ for a further three years,” FMG Head of Client Strategy & Advice Services Jason Rolfe said.
“No matter how careful we are accidents still happen, so it’s great to have insurance for when they do,” IrrigationNZ CEO Elizabeth Soal said.
“IrrigationNZ is a notforprofit membership organisation and we are very grateful to be in partnership with FMG.”
FMG and IrrigationNZ’s partnership first began in 2013 following the Canterbury windstorms when FMG signed on as IrrigationNZ’s preferred risk advice partner. The extent of damage that resulted from the Canterbury windstorms highlighted a need for greater advice on what to do to help prepare for winds of this nature.
Mr Rolfe said offering advice as well as insurance is a key part of FMG’s role. This was why in 2015 FMG, IrrigationNZ and Lincoln University worked together to research the storms and produced the Irrigator Advice Guide to help farmers and growers avoid irrigator damage.
“Onfarm irrigation involves serious investment—they’re high tech, expensive systems and it can take months to get them back up and running again if they’re damaged,” Mr Rolfe said.
Looking to the future, Mr Rolfe said FMG appreciated the significant impact irrigation will continue to have on improving the productivity of farmers and growers as well as providing jobs and contributing towards the rural economy.
“We see how the contribution from irrigation has revitalised particular rural communities across New Zealand,” Mr Rolfe said.
With a predicted increase in the frequency and duration of droughts and possible changes in land use away from pastoral farming in some areas, irrigation will continue to become more and more important.
“We appreciate that there are changes on the horizon for irrigation due to concerns of the environmental impact and IrrigationNZ plays an important role in advocacy for irrigators.”
Over the next few years FMG plans to support irrigation by running joint risk workshops in local areas, sponsorship of the Water for Life Conference and Expo, and releasing a new Irrigator Advice Guide.
