EDITOR/ADVERTISING Ella Hunt / 027 208 6371 / ehunt@irrigationnz.co.nz DESIGN Rosie Fenton PRINTING Caxton PUBLISHED BY Irrigation New Zealand / PO Box 8014, Wellington 6143, New Zealand DISTRIBUTION New Zealand Post
COVER PHOTO Courtesy of Tim Cuff ISSN 2230-5181
Please email ehunt@irrigationnz.co.nz if the delivery address/information where this magazine has been received is incorrect or needs updated. IrrigationNZ News is published by Irrigation New Zealand Inc (IrrigationNZ) four times a year. The circulation includes all IrrigationNZ members. The opinions expressed in IrrigationNZ News do not necessarily reflect the views of IrrigationNZ. The information contained in this publication is general in nature with every effort being made to ensure its complete accuracy. No responsibility can be accepted for any errors or copyright breach that may occur beyond the control of the editor or IrrigationNZ. Permission must be sought from the Editor prior to reproduction of any material contained in this publication. www.irrigationnz.co.nz
Keri Johnston Chair IrrigationNZ
Celebrating wins and looking ahead
Kia ora everyone, and welcome to the spring issue of IrrigationNZ News.
With the new irrigation season almost upon us, it is good to reiterate the importance of getting your repairs and maintenance done before you need to press the start button. A well-maintained system reduces the risk of breakdowns throughout the season and helps to ensure that every drop of water taken is used responsibly.
At IrrigationNZ we think it is important to celebrate our successes. And this year we have achieved two major wins for our members at a national level. The Dam Safety Regulations now require only dams more than four metres in height and storing more than 20,000 cubic metres to be classified by a recognised engineer. This has significantly reduced the number of dams captured by the Regulations, and therefore the burden and cost of compliance.
Recently, it has been announced that changes to the sections of the Resource Management Act (RMA) which affect discharges (and the ability for a council to grant a discharge consent) will be amended. This change was aided by the strong political relationships we have in Wellington, which we are always developing. If the RMA were not changed, the impact on any irrigator or irrigation scheme seeking to obtain or renew discharge permits, particularly in catchments where water quality outcomes are not presently being met, would be significant.
The change in the Act is an example of how working together can achieve success. Our relationships, mana, knowledge and insight, and the tenacity of our members result in positive achievements regarding real issues.
So we can continue to advocate on your behalf, and set our sector up for success
through education and training, the board has made the difficult decision to raise the IrrigationNZ membership fee by $0.10 per irrigated hectare. It has been five years since the last fee increase, and we are not immune to the inflated costs that all New Zealanders are facing.
Our refreshed strategy is now in place. You can see our new strategy on page 6 of this issue of the magazine.
I always appreciate your feedback, so please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time.
Ngā mihi, Keri
22 & 23 OCTOBER 2024
Hosted by Horizons Regional Council
Victoria Ave, Palmerston North
This is a two-day workshop for council staff, Blue Tick accredited companies, and anyone working in the water metering space.
Attendance fees
Attendees can choose to come to both days or just the second day. Days 1 & 2: $675+GST (includes delegate dinner)
Day 2 only: $400+GST
Vanessa Winning Chief Executive IrrigationNZ
Springing into opportunity: Nurturing new growth in irrigation amid changing political winds
As we move into spring and the weather becomes warmer, and hopefully wetter for the south, we see more change on the horizon.
At IrrigationNZ we are seeing a more settled Government as the parties find their feet and the activities they campaigned on start to come to fruition. We’ve come through several years of uncertainty, and as new shoots come through the ground we are also seeing new shoots of opportunity for irrigation starting to find their way to the surface.
Resource management reform has been challenging and has become increasingly politicised over the past six years. The focus shifted from managing resources to prioritising protection, often at the expense of lives and livelihoods. Now we’re beginning to see a more balanced approach that emphasises
Day 1: Tuesday 22 October
• Blue Tick Accreditation: History, purpose, and future vision
• Ministry for the Environment: Policy updates, implementation, and data insights
• Water meter data: Moving beyond compliance
Verification field trip: Comparing flow rig and clamp-on methods, manual data processing, and flow check software
• Data quality coding
Blue Tick Accreditation training: Latest updates
achieving better economic outcomes while still respecting environmental boundaries. This shift is significant. However, during this period of transition, irrigators and infrastructure developers must proceed with care. We must demonstrate our ability to develop in harmony with the land and environment, ensuring we maintain our social licence.
This year will be a significant one for the irrigation sector. We will see more development consented, more community engagement in our sector, and greater support for long-term investment. This is a huge opportunity for the sector, particularly in areas where the climate is becoming more extreme. It will enable the capture and storage of water for productive use, and grow regional economies, which will have intergenerational benefits.
These spring shoots need to be nurtured, watered, and supported to come to fruition. To ensure the pendulum doesn’t swing back due to future political changes, we will work with both sides of the house on the areas where we agree, and demonstrate how irrigation and water storage are environmentally positive while also a significant contributor to social services through economic development. We are making headway and building trust. We must hold on to that trust.
Day 2: Wednesday 23 October
• Challenges of mass telemetry adoption: Perspectives from industry and councils
Consent condition complexity: The growing role of APIs
• Horizons LoRa network
• Blue Tick data management: Evaluating the relationships between installers, hosts, and councils, and whether it’s meeting 2018 expectations
• Telemetry micro-credential: Potential integration with Blue Tick
The New Zealand Water Measurement Code of Practice: Feedback and recommendations
Registration
Registration closes 24 September 2024. Use the QR code below or visit IrrigationNZ’s website to register.
2024–2029 Strategy
Vision: Water to nourish our community, environment and economy
IrrigationNZ Values:
Credibility: We are trusted advisors and a voice of reason. Our insights are based on facts and expert knowledge.
Courage: We are influential leaders who inspire and motivate. We set high standards and embrace change.
Focus on solutions: We are capable and determined people who work with others and persevere to get things done.
Inclusive support: We care about managing freshwater in ways that support the community, the environment, and the economy.
Priorities:
Future-focused freshwater management for capture, storage, and use.
For all New Zealanders to understand the importance of irrigation.
Maintaining a secure financial footing as a non-profit organisation, where our members consistently see the benefits of their participation.
Assisting the irrigation sector to lead in using best practices for freshwater management.
Reflections and gratitude: My journey with IrrigationNZ
As I prepare to leave IrrigationNZ I want to take a moment to reflect on my time here and express my gratitude. It’s been an incredible journey, which I started as IrrigationNZ Communications Manager in October 2019. I’ve had the privilege of being part of this organisation through significant changes—both within the organisation and in the broader landscape of policy and advocacy.
The work we do at IrrigationNZ is vital, and I hope noone underestimates its importance. From ensuring sustainable water management practices to advocating for the needs of our members, every effort leaves a lasting impact on our communities and environment.
Some of my biggest learnings have come from facing these challenges head-on. Navigating the complexities of policy shifts taught me the value of adaptability and the importance of clear, consistent communication. Another key lesson was understanding the power of collaboration – how working closely with stakeholders, government agencies, and our members can drive meaningful change.
I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the technical aspects of our work, such as the complexities of irrigation technology and its crucial role in efficient water use. These experiences have not only expanded my knowledge but also strengthened my commitment to the values that IrrigationNZ champions.
Additionally, I’ve gained a broader perspective on resource management, especially regarding land use and water. While the term “irrigation” can often provoke strong reactions, it’s essential to consider differing viewpoints. Even when it’s challenging to understand others’ perspectives, embracing diverse opinions helps us see the bigger picture and enriches our approach to managing these critical resources.
You often hear people say they want the “good” story of the primary sector to be told, but what does that mean? The measure of what is “good” varies greatly, depending on who you ask.
As I move on to new opportunities, I’ll carry these lessons with me and remain a strong supporter of IrrigationNZ’s mission. I wish the team all the best—the small team of just four does great work! Thank you to everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with – I truly value the relationships we’ve built and the progress we’ve made together.
Best regards,
Ella Hunt
Ella Hunt, IrrigationNZ Communications Manager and IrrigationNZ News Editor, pictured with her dog, Polly.
IrrigationNZ: Out & About
NZCID module and orchard visit
Stephen was in Richmond in July, delivering the third training module of the NZ Certificate in Irrigation System Design (NZCID).
NZCID students visited Vailima Orchard in Richmond. Thank you for having us, Matthew Hoddy. Find out more about Vailima Orchard on page 16
The NZCID qualification continues to be wellsupported, with names already on the expressions of interest list for a 2025 intake.
Arable Awards
Vanessa attended the Arable Awards in Christchurch in early August. This event is a great opportunity to recognise the innovators and heroes of New Zealand’s arable industry.
Pictured from left: Colin Hurst (Federated Farmers National Vice President), Vanessa Winning, Mark Patterson (NZ First), Jo Luxton (Labour Spokesperson for Agriculture, Biosecurity, Rural Communities), and Wayne Langford (Federated Farmers Dairy Industry Chairperson and Meat the Need Founder).
CropX Conference
In August, Vanessa spoke at the CropX Dealer Conference in Christchurch. She addressed the changes, challenges, and successes in New Zealand’s irrigation sector and highlighted the work of IrrigationNZ.
Northland developments visit
In August, Vanessa, Lynn, and IrrigationNZ board members visited Northland. They started with a tour of the new Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust site in Dargaville. It was exciting to see the development taking shape, with a large new nursery already established at the site, growing avocado and citrus trees for local growers. Hearing about the Trust’s plans was interesting, and built anticipation. Thank you to both Murray McCully and Kathryn de Bruin for their time, and their passion for the project.
The following morning the visiting group went to the Manuwai and Waingaro Reservoirs, hosted by Tony Corcoran from Kerikeri Irrigation. These are both commercial and non-commercial water supply services that play a vital role in sustaining local agriculture. The group then explored the third site that Te Tai Tokerau Water is constructing, the Otawere site, with Chris Frost from Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust. The Trust, established in mid-2020, was tasked with developing water resilience across the mid-north to support horticulture development and iwi opportunities to improve land use and economic outcomes.
The trip provided valuable insights into varying water storage projects and the challenges faced by different regions with different needs, thus highlighting ways IrrigationNZ can offer support.
At the Kaipara Water Scheme’s Otawere site at Waimate North, a key initiative under the Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust. From left: Mark Pizey (IrrigationNZ Board), Alastair King (Te Tai Tokerau Water Trustee), Chris Frost (Lead Relationship Manager Te Tai Tokerau), Kathryn de Bruin (Te Tai Tokerau Water Trustee), Jared Ross, Keri Johnston, Mark Saunders (all IrrigationNZ Board), Vanessa Winning (IrrigationNZ Chief Executive), Andrew Mockford (IrrigationNZ Board).
Simon Upton Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
National support centre needed to address shortcomings in freshwater modelling
Models support robust, evidence-based freshwater management. But a review of freshwater modelling that I have just completed reveals a modelling scene that is fragmented, underresourced, and lacking in leadership.
The report – A review of freshwater models used to support the regulation and management of water in New Zealand – investigates how models that predict freshwater quality and quantity are being used by councils in regulation and management. My enquiry reveals what many involved in water management already know – gaps, overlaps, inefficiencies, and inconsistencies are hindering the use of models.
These shortcomings are partly a consequence of New Zealand’s highly devolved approach to environmental regulation. Regional councils were given responsibility for managing their freshwater resources more than 30 years ago. But an absence of central government direction and leadership left councils facing a vacuum in terms of support, coordination, and guidance. When it comes to modelling, councils have been largely left to their own devices.
There has been some guidance in recent years, but the complex freshwater management framework councils need to implement keeps changing. Those changes are unlikely to stop any time soon, but whatever happens, modelling will remain an essential tool in supporting future freshwater management.
Over the years, some councils have become confident users of complex models to support water management and regulation.
Others, however, lack confidence in model use, are uncertain about the best models to use for certain tasks, and have spent time and money developing customised models, in some cases, unnecessarily.
My investigation found that at least 75 freshwater models are in use across the country. Of these, 60 percent are ‘single use’ models developed by a specific council for a particular application in a specific location. These models are often not reused by the council for other tasks and generally not used by other councils. This represents a poor use of our scarce modelling resources.
While local conditions may sometimes require a place-specific model, most of the widely-used models are sufficiently sophisticated and flexible to be used in a variety of settings and catchments. But few of these models are being used to their full potential.
My team undertook a technical evaluation of the 24 most widely used biophysical freshwater models. We found that while most models have a good scientific basis, there were shortcomings with transparency, uncertainty, and computational infrastructure. These weaknesses make it difficult to compare and reuse models or link models for specific tasks.
The lack of transparency is a significant issue. Being able to ‘see under the hood’ of a model, means that the community and other stakeholders can view the tool that was used to inform decisions. It also allows experts to interrogate it. Stakeholders can also see how decisions were reached creating greater
trust between regulators and those being regulated. Quantifying the uncertainty in a model increases its transparency. Uncertainty estimates help to explain the difference between models and to facilitate comparisons. However, only eight of the 24 most widely used models provide uncertainty as a standard output parameter.
Many of the 75 freshwater models identified have overlapping functions, meaning they are used in the same environmental domain, for the same purpose, often with similar assumptions and input parameters. For example, 47 models have been designed to model river water quantity, quality, or both. Similarly, 27 models are used to identify water take limits or set flows and levels, and at least eight different models are being used to estimate the soil water balance.
This plethora of models has not made it easy for council staff trying to determine the best model for their needs. Their difficulty is compounded by a lack of guidance on model selection and use, and a lack of evaluation to determine if models are indeed fit-forpurpose. Without back-up, council staff find themselves isolated as they defend their choice of models, and the decisions supported by their use, against legal challenges.
A separate report on Māori freshwater models undertaken for this review identified more than 30 such models and found that none are being used by councils to support the full implementation of the national policy statement for freshwater management. Clearly, greater effort is needed on the part
The figure summarises an assessment of the 24 models that have been used by three councils or more. The number in the bar denotes the number of councils that have reported the use of any specific model. Complexity is categorised as 1 = simple; 2 = moderately complex; 3 = very complex. Transparency is categorised as fully transparent (green); moderately transparent (amber); not transparent (red). Models are also categorised as those that are focused on water quantity, water quality, or both. For the purposes of this evaluation, six ‘single use’ water balance models have been grouped together, as have three ‘single use’ nutrient (leaching) budgets. (Source: PCE)
of councils to involve mana whenua in the future development and application of freshwater models and to use some of the Māori models that have been developed.
Overall, my investigation revealed an urgent need for better national-level coordination and support for freshwater modelling. I have made several recommendations to improve the current situation, some of which can be undertaken immediately.
The first, and most important,
recommendation is the establishment of a national freshwater modelling support centre. The centre should be given a mandate to support regional councils, unitary authorities, and mana whenua. It should coordinate technical expertise and provide confidence to these groups that they are using models that are fit-for-purpose.
Management decisions will still need to be made at the regional level, following on from engagement with communities and
mana whenua. But at the national level, collaboration and coordination of model use could greatly strengthen our devolved system.
I am suggesting that the Secretary for the Environment advise on where and how such a centre could fit, but I believe it would be best within a national-level agency which has the oversight, incentives, and funding to address many of the issues raised by my report.
While models must be able to incorporate locally specific conditions, councils should not have to start from scratch. To stop reinventing the wheel, I recommend the selection or development of a preferred suite of models adaptable to local circumstances that can be used and reused in a regulatory context. This approach would make model application across councils more comparable and consistent, and it would enable councils to learn from each other’s experiences. For irrigators, this could give greater certainty about the evidence that will be used to assess their consents.
The consensus-based approach works well overseas and examples from the Netherlands, the USA, and Australia are in my report. The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) should lead the selection or development of this preferred suite of models.
I am also recommending that MfE further develop national guidance on the use of freshwater models in the regulatory context. This guidance must spell out the key components required to make these models technically robust. Guidance must be coupled with regular evaluation to ensure users know which models are fit-for-purpose. MfE should advise on the best way to undertake this evaluation, but I think it would be suited to an expert advisory group.
To help support further development of Māori models, I suggest that MfE establish a rōpū of experts. This group could advise on the best process for engagement between councils and tangata whenua on freshwater modelling and how to bridge the gap between mātauranga Māori and regulatory requirements.
If actioned, these recommendations would ensure that freshwater modelling is organised in a way that best supports the regulation and management of our waterways, enabling us to be more responsible caretakers of our precious water resource.
Wallace Currie
Agriculture lecturer at Scotland’s Rural College, podcaster and content creator at Rural2Kitchen, 2024 Nuffield Farming Scholar
From rainy Arran, Scotland to irrigated Canterbury: A Scotsman’s exploration of New Zealand’s farming innovations
As I write this piece for an irrigation magazine, I can’t help but feel a tad unqualified. After all, I come from a Scottish island with an average rainfall of 1,200mm; irrigation is not exactly our biggest concern!
Thankfully, I haven’t been asked to discuss the intricacies of irrigation. Although, I’ve been captivated by the extensive infrastructure for irrigation in New Zealand, especially in Canterbury. The shift to dairy farming has clearly driven this development, and it’s fascinating to see so many centre pivots –more than tractors, I’d wager. It’s quite the contrast to back home, where natural (often unwanted) ponds outnumber sunny days.
My home is the Isle of Arran, where I grew up (or was “reared,” depending on how well you think of me) on an 800-hectare farm called Bridge Farm, at the foot of a volcano named Ard Bheinn. Now, New Zealanders have some unique place names, but try wrapping your tongue around “Ard Bheinn” – it’s pronounced “arch ven”! Our farm was primarily a beef and sheep operation, running around 640 breeding ewes and 15 cattle. The sheep followed the UK stratification system, with hill breeds like
Scottish Blackface and Swaledale being bred pure until the males were sold (except for the ones kept for breeding). The ewes were later crossed with the Blue-Faced Leicester to produce the wonderful mothers, the Scotch Mule, among others. These ewes (or “yohs,” as Kiwis amusingly think we Scots say) are then crossed with the Texel for the final prime lamb. The concept of a sheep bred for wool is rather alien to me, given that a few years ago we sold a batch of 1,300kg for a mere £12, or just shy of NZ $25!
My parents manage the farm, and after school, I decided to pursue agriculture at university, eventually earning a master’s degree in food security. During the pandemic, I started a social media account called Rural2Kitchen to share rural stories and create affordable meals, which led to the podcast R2Kast – People in Food and Farming. This venture was picked up by Scotland’s main rural education centre, SRUC, where I began teaching as an agricultural lecturer at 23. It’s been an incredible experience, introducing new teaching methods like student-run crop plots and winter livestock shows.
While doing all this, I built the podcast
side of my social media presence, recording 250 episodes with guests from all over the food and farming sectors, as well as professional footballers and world record holders. I still release around 10 episodes a month and am considering increasing that number soon! This journey led me to a role as the chair of communications and marketing for SAYFC (Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs). It’s been fascinating to see another angle of youth development, especially in such an impressionable age group.
Last year, I was fortunate to receive a Nuffield Scholarship – a global travel grant aimed at improving agriculture in one’s home country. My topic, “Let’s Get Agricultural Education into the Tramlines,” focuses on finding engaging and progressive teaching techniques. This has taken my partner Yasmine and me across nearly every region of New Zealand, except Taranaki and Gisborne. Each region has its own charm – well, most regions have! – and it’s been a joy to explore them.
We’ve visited the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, and now New Zealand,
sharing insights into agricultural education. Unfortunately, Singapore didn’t get back to me, but the other countries offered some inspiring school education programmes aimed at food production. The universities here are designed to create an inclusive and motivating environment, something that’s intangible but noticeable.
Travel has been a significant part of my life in the past 11 months. Having only flown for six hours in the first 26 years of my life, I have now travelled to 13 countries across six continents in the last 11 months (no Antarctica yet!). The standout experience was in Ukraine in October 2023, where we delivered 17 vehicles to support the war effort, thanks to the charity Pick-Ups for Peace.
Our New Zealand adventure has been equally amazing. From flying over 40,000 hectares of a North Otago station to muster cattle, to pouring our bourbon cask whisky at the Nuffield Scholar-founded Cardrona Whisky Distillery, spotting little penguins in Akaroa, and watching trained huntaways moving sheep, it’s been a memorable journey. We’re only halfway through our 29-day trip,
and it’s already been fantastic.
A recent political shift back home has been interesting to observe, especially comparing it to New Zealand. Regardless of political views, a change after 14 years is refreshing. The former New Zealand Prime Minister received high praise internationally, but opinions seem to vary here, particularly in the farming community. Both New Zealand and the UK face challenges like land use for tree planting and concerns about carbon credits impacting rural areas.
The starkest difference is the difference in production which pretty much stems from the 1984 shift from a subsidised environment compared with that of governmental support… certainly until the EU ties are completely severed! Animal welfare, environmental standards, and biodiversity standards are higher back home, but there is that financial lenience that allows that. It will be interesting to see what happens when those aforementioned ties meet their demise!
The scale of farming in New Zealand is impressive. Back home, our 800-hectare farm is considered average, but here it’s almost like a backyard! Trying to convert milk solids
to milk yield in litres is always a bit tricky –I’m constantly multiplying by 8 to avoid embarrassing myself!
In conclusion, New Zealand punches well above its weight in food production, and farmers here are remarkably resilient. Education seems to focus on practical and pragmatic approaches, which is commendable.
While everyone says, “I’ll be back”, in their best Schwarzenegger voice, I genuinely plan to return in March. It’s been a pleasure, and keep up the fantastic work!
Premium apples saved by dam
Irrigation water from the new Waimea Community Dam started flowing just in time for Vailima Orchards.
Vailima grows 10 varieties of apples on 218 hectares on the Waimea Plains, including the Eve, Ambrosia, and Evercrisp varieties.
The first release of water from the Waimea Community Dam came in the nick of time for Vailima Orchards, which has grown a reputation as a supplier of quality apples domestically and overseas.
“The premium market in Asia demands a bigger apple, especially for the gifting market,” said Matthew Hoddy, fourth generation apple grower in the Tasman region and business manager at Vailima Orchards.
“If you’re visiting a family member, for instance, you’d take a couple of nice apples from New Zealand that would be cut up to share, rather than here where you might take a box of
chocolates or a bottle of wine.”
Vailima’s marketing arm, Luv’ya, holds intellectual property licences for Vailima’s Eve, Ambrosia, and Evercrisp varieties. As well as supplying the New Zealand and Asia markets, it also exports to North America and Western Europe.
But the extreme drought faced by the region earlier this year threatened to severely impact the size of the crop, limiting where the fruit could be sold.
“In early March, if the dam hadn’t started flowing, we’d have been heading for significant rationing steps,” Matthew said. “Leading into the season it was a dry summer and
although the aquifers were well-managed between council and irrigators, we’d had so long without rain it’d got to that critical point. Severe rationing would have, without doubt, affected crop size.
“That would have put pressure on our marketers to find a home for smaller fruit in a different market that might have been full already.”
It’s not just this year’s crop the extended drought conditions would have impacted, Matthew said, but the following year’s too, as at that time the trees were setting buds for 2025’s fruit. Any further water restrictions would also have posed a fatal risk to productive trees, some of which date back 35 years.
In early March, if the dam hadn’t started flowing, we’d have been heading for significant rationing steps … Severe rationing would have, without doubt, affected crop size.
“Thankfully, because of the release of water from the Waimea Dam, we managed to continue to irrigate and size the fruit needed to meet the market demands.”
At its peak the orchard
The premium market in Asia demands a bigger apple, especially for the gifting market, says Matthew Hoddy, business manager at Vailima Orchards.
employs around 245 workers, and 150 at the post-harvest side of the business.
In a good year over 14 million kilograms of fruit is grown on Vailima’s orchard properties, something Hoddy’s great-grandfather Walter could only have dreamed of when he first began the family business over 100 years ago.
A draper from England, he ventured to New Zealand in 1914 after seeing the Appleby Apple Lands advertised in a London newspaper. Initially planting in the Moutere Hills, the family relocated to the Waimea Plains in 1972 at the time the Waimea East Irrigation Scheme was being established.
“The system turned these plains into 1,000 hectares with fully pressurised irrigation water,” said Matthew, who was brought up on the orchard and has a Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) from Lincoln University.
“It used to be sufficient because the minimum river levels were a lot lower, so irrigators could water their crops longer into the season before rationing started. Following a round of environmental changes the minimum river flow was increased, so any rationing kicked in earlier with the river health in mind.
“Getting your crops ready for harvest and then suddenly having no water – it was never going to work.”
Eighteen potential locations were assessed for a dam before the Lee Valley was chosen.
The five-year construction project cost $198.2 million and was funded by its shareholders, Tasman District Council (TDC) and Waimea Irrigators Ltd.
The project faced complications, including delays caused by COVID, global supply chain disruptions, costs of materials, and unexpected geological hurdles.
“We commenced filling the reservoir in September last year after completing the intake pipework,” said Mike Scott, CEO of Waimea Water Ltd, the organisation tasked with the dam’s construction.
“Murphy’s Law, we had three really wet winters and springs while we constructed the dam but as soon as we started filling the reservoir it was very dry, so the reservoir filled much slower than expected – that’s when the drought started.”
At full capacity, behind its 53m high concrete face, the reservoir is able to hold 13 billion litres of water, a volume reached on January 31 this year.
“We needed the reservoir at full capacity
Because of the release of water from the Waimea Dam, Matthew Hoddy says, Vailima
has managed to continue to irrigate and grow the size of fruit the market demands.
Orchards
The first release of water from the Waimea Dam could not have come at a better time for Vailima Orchards.
for water to flow down the spillway before we could remove the temporary river diversion and connect the pipework, otherwise the river would have dried up,” Mike said.
“As soon as that happened, we were working flat out through the month of February to get the pipework connections finished and the valve ready.”
Water was finally released on March 2, resulting in restrictions being lifted for all, including domestic users.
He said, “That was two days before TDC had been due to increase their restrictions, which would have been quite painful to the primary sector, industry, and other users.
“Between the date of opening the valve and the region’s first rainfall of any significance on 11 April, we released 20 percent of the reservoir, so we got there just in time and the Waimea Dam did its job. It was a great relief but also a very exhausting period for the team who put in a big shift and worked long hours to get it finished.”
Matthew said, “As an orchard we’ve
invested heavily to get the dam project over the line and working, along with a lot of the other growers on the Waimea Plains.”
The first release of water from the Waimea Dam could not have come at a better time for Vailima Orchard.
“Knowing we could have some surety around some of the input parameters, with the dam being built, gave us the certainty to develop more intensely with some of the structures to improve yield. It gave us that confidence to keep reinvesting and to know we can keep doing this on the Waimea Plains.”
He recalls another harsh summer. “For us, water-wise, this was the year of the Pigeon Valley fires, summer of 2019. We did go into some very severe rationing and that made it a harder year to size fruit. The result was we couldn’t export the ideal sizes to the ideal markets for the premium customers.”
This presented potential problems with brand presence, a concern that was growing dramatically at the start of this year too as
the drought’s severity increased.
“When you’re dealing with a buyer and you can’t fulfil, it’s especially hard to come back another year in better conditions,” said Matthew.
The stability of water supply has enabled more investment in a formal trellis system, which, although coming with higher capital costs, Vailima is implementing to produce greater yields.
“These new developments actually lead to more permanent jobs and more meaningful jobs because putting up the structures needs skilled people,” Hoddy said. “So it’s not just about picking and packing apples, it’s everything else that goes with that.”
Article Credit: Fiona Terry, Farmers Weekly. Images: Tim Cuff.
Pivotal.
Anderson Lloyd is the trusted legal advisor for major players in New Zealand’s irrigation sector, with a proven ability to deliver results. We have advised on numerous existing and proposed schemes in the North and South Islands and act for individual farmers and agribusinesses.
Our specialist team advises on all aspects associated with large-scale irrigation schemes including banking, capital raising, commercial contract, resource management and construction matters.
Exploring science, policy, and 3D catchment printing with a freshwater ecology expert
Isaac Bain is a passionate quantitative freshwater ecologist with knowledge in the domains of data science, statistics, and environmental science. Isaac currently works at the heart of the science-policy interface at the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) in the team responsible for national freshwater policy, where his advice is data-driven and evidence-based. With a deep commitment to bridging the gap between science and policy, Isaac is now channelling his expertise into an innovative project: 3D printing catchments to enhance communication and understanding among stakeholders. We recently caught up with him to find out more about his work and his plans for the catchment project.
What have been some significant challenges you've faced in your area of work, and how did you overcome them?
Collecting environmental data is complex and expensive, and it is a challenge to have enough of it at the right time and place. This challenge is highlighted in successive reports from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and MfE’ s own environmental reporting, amongst others. Consequently, we’re faced with giving policy advice using incomplete and imperfect information.
Advances in environmental modelling have helped to mitigate this information shortfall. There are good reasons why numerous papers highlight the decades-long gap between the development of technologies in academia and their eventual implementation in decision-making. Increased investment in smarter data collection and innovative modelling is helping to mitigate this.
Can you share a notable project or achievement in your career of which you're particularly proud?
I am proud of the investments MfE has made in acquiring environmental data, which have repeatedly proven valuable. One example is Aqualinc’s mapping of irrigated land throughout New Zealand. Aqualinc’s methods produced a high-resolution dataset of irrigated land area and type, which is not available from other sources. This data has been used for economic studies, predictive modelling, water resource quantification, and even in beautiful cartography (such as in the book We Are Here). The return on investment in environmental data is remarkably high.
What inspired you to use 3D printing technology, particularly in the context of environmental and catchment group projects?
Even as a self-confessed data and policy nerd, I know everyone needs a break from the spreadsheets occasionally. Engaging in a
creative outlet outside of my 9 to 5, like 3D printing, allows me some artistic freedom and the opportunity to support passionate catchment groups. In a previous life I worked as a CAD drafter for a yacht company, so I’m pretty interested in manufacturing technologies like 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining. While it’s not practical or affordable to have all these machines at home, 3D printing is what I’m playing with at the moment.
When did the 3D catchment printing project start and why?
This project builds on skills I’ve been developing for years, but offering it as a service to catchment groups is brand new. It’s entirely separate from my day job and serves as a fun hobby that can hopefully benefit
catchment groups. As someone who enjoys freshwater environments through swimming, packrafting, kayaking, and fishing, I have a vested interest in helping catchment groups enhance our watery backyard.
Can you explain how 3D printing works for a catchment, from the outset to the finished product? Is it straightforward?
geographical topics. Can you explain why this is important?
Each step in the process is fairly straightforward, though it requires linking up several stages. I’ve developed my workflow using the R coding language because it was invented right here in New Zealand, and it is free, open-source, flexible, reproducible, and powerful. However, similar workflows can be implemented in ArcGIS or QGIS (GIS = geographic information system). The basic steps are: (1) define a catchment boundary, (2) source elevation data, (3) process this data into a 3D model, (4) export it as an .stl file for the 3D printer, (5) send it to a 3D printer and hit print.
Steps 1–3 are routine for anyone with GIS experience, and step 5 is a fundamental of all 3D printing. Step 4, the linkage making the entire process possible, is crucial. Many libraries now have 3D printers available for public use, which are often subsidised, charging only nominal fees for consumables. Once you have an .stl file (format that can be printed as 3D) and settings figured out, you can print multiple copies on demand.
A 3D model of a catchment provides a commanding overview of topography and its implications on surface water hydrology. Whilst walking around a catchment in real life would offer the ultimate understanding, it can be impractical. Traditional maps offer vast information, but in a more abstract format. The middle ground option of a 3D model helps people visualise in three dimensions, comprehend the scale of sub-catchments, hills, and distances, and see new perspectives. It is second only to flying over the area in a helicopter.
What progress have you seen in the integration of 3D printing in catchment management, and what barriers still exist?
3D printing technology has been financially accessible for hobby use since about 2010. This, combined with community makerspaces and libraries, has made it very accessible. If you’re concerned about the environmental impact, rest assured. The most common
filament, polylactic acid (PLA), is made from renewable biomass like corn or sugarcane. The biggest barrier would be GIS technical skills. For non-GIS users, the learning curve to create a 3D elevation model is steep, but there are excellent tutorials and free software like QGIS available.
How does the ability to visualise projects and environments in 3D enhance communication and understanding among stakeholders? What is special about it that offers more than a map, and why does this add value in an environmental sense?
A 3D model allows stakeholders and partners to gather around and discuss catchment goals. While detailed modelling of contaminant pathways and hydrology to prove linkages will always have its place, 3D models serve as communication tools to initiate conversations. Traditional maps complement these models by providing additional context about land use, water quality, soils, etc., so need to be used hand-in-hand.
The basic steps are: (1) define a catchment boundary, (2) source elevation data, (3) process this data into a 3D model, (4) export it as an .stl file for the 3D printer, (5) send it to a 3D printer and hit print.
Can you provide examples of how 3D visualisation has helped overcome communication barriers in catchment management?
Readers of this publication are undoubtedly familiar with what a catchment is and why delineation of catchment boundaries matter. But the whole concept of a catchment is a bit of a mystery to the general public. It takes a bit of explaining to communicate how a catchment is bounded along the ridges of hills, how sub-catchments can be nested in larger ones, how Strahler stream order numbers work, etc. Whether digital or physical, 3D models facilitate fundamental understanding before delving into the tough conversations about environmental outcomes, solutions, and trade-offs.
What are the biggest advantages and potential challenges of using 3D printing technology in environmental projects?
The primary challenge is creating the .stl file for your catchment to get started. As for the advantages; only time will tell! If this helps out any catchment groups with conversations with their regional council or communities, I’m keen to hear about it. I’m not sure of other countries where this is being done either. I’ve had some Australian modellers reach out to say they are keen to give it a go over there.
How do you collaborate with other stakeholders, such as local communities and environmental organisations, on your 3D printing projects?
Because I work with catchment groups from around the country, collaboration is mainly over the internet, initiated through LinkedIn or other social media. I’ve posted a couple of times and people have shared it around their networks, which gets the word out in a small country like ours. I also have a website where I write up longer form articles and share R code for reproducibility.
What future developments in 3D printing do you see being most beneficial for catchment groups and environmental management? What is your vision for it?
The Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) National Elevation Programme is exciting. A couple of years ago I wouldn’t have envisaged
it was possible to have 1m light detection and ranging (LiDAR) for the entire country, but they’re definitely getting there. LiDAR provides really high-resolution elevation data that’s useful not only for 3D printing, but also for improving fundamental data layers like the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research’s (NIWA) digital river network. I’d love to see every catchment group with a 3D printed model of their area and the capability to independently produce more as needed.
Where can we get information about your upcoming programmes or initiatives?
If you’d like to get in contact with me, or
see the projects I’m working on, check out my website at www.isaacbain.com. I usually post once a week and I develop my personal projects out in the open, so that’ll be the first place you see any upcoming projects. Once I work through a backlog of catchment groups, I’ll probably have some capacity to develop 3D catchment models for commercial users. Scaling up the size of my 3D models is also on my mind – so if any businesses have a big CNC router which can carve models out of wood, please get in touch!
Don’t get stung this spring — check your water meters are tech and data compliant
With irrigation season around the corner, now’s a good time to ensure your water measuring and recording equipment complies with regulations, works as it should, and is future-proofed. It’s essential that your equipment is reporting correctly, will continue to do so when 2G and 3G support ends, and all work is carried out by a suitably qualified installer.
New rule on water measuring and recording in effect
From 3 September 2024, if you have a consent to take water at a rate of 10 litres per second (l/s) or more, your water measuring and recording equipment unit must measure and record how much water you take every 15 minutes, and this data submitted to us daily by your service provider. This requirement isn’t new to those with consent to take 20 l/s or more — it’s been in place since September 2022.
2G and 3G support ending
With telecommunications companies upgrading their networks to 4G, some are looking to remove 2G and 3G services in 2025.
If your water equipment is still on 2G or 3G, you will need to upgrade or replace these with 4G-capable ones. Talk to your service provider about this change and when it’s likely to affect you.
Installing or upgrading? Find a suitably qualified service provider
To maintain compliance, it’s key that all water measuring and recording equipment is installed, upgraded or verified by an accredited/suitably qualified service provider, and that water use data is submitted using the correct format and processes. If your service provider isn’t a suitably qualified professional, there’s a risk of failing to meet compliance.
We recommend you use one of the companies on Irrigation New Zealand’s ‘Blue Tick’ accredited service providers directory, as they have suitably qualified staff for one, some or all the services relating to water measurement. Visit irrigationnz.co.nz/serviceproviders to search for someone with the right qualification to carry out the work you need done.
Is your water meter verified?
Water meter verifications are required every five years to ensure your meter is functioning correctly and must also be completed by a qualified service provider.
To maintain compliance and reduce compliance monitoring costs, check when your meter was last verified and book to have it re-verified prior to its expiry.
If you’re unsure of your current verification status, email us at water.metering@ecan.govt.nz providing your consent number, and we will tell you when your next verification’s due.
Having the right service providers onboard will give you the confidence your water measurement systems are installed, maintained and verified in a way that complies with the requirements of the national regulations and your consent conditions.
If you have any questions on water use and metering, please email wateruse@ecan.govt.nz
Making room for fish in your waterways
Infrastructure built in or across waterways is vital to rural life — it allows for stock and vehicle movement, and protects against flood damage. But it’s important that structures built in and around our waterways also allow for fish to safely pass through.
Many of the native and exotic fish species found in Canterbury’s waterways travel significant distances — including between the sea and high country — as they seek out food sources and return to breeding grounds.
Flood gates, culverts and weirs built in these waterways need to be constructed in such a way that fish can navigate these obstacles.
We’re doing our part
Environment Canterbury owns and maintains flood gates, culverts and weirs across Canterbury. Some of these were built some time ago, and don’t allow for easy fish passage.
We’ve identified this as an issue and made addressing it a priority.
Over the past two years, we’ve made improvements to more than a dozen of the flood protection structures that were considered to have had a high chance of blocking most or all fish movement most or all the time.
Waikuku culvert, flap gate and rock weir
We recently remediated a culvert in Waikuku (right), as part of our fish passage remediation project, part funded through co-investment from central government.
The floodgates on this structure were designed to open once the water level inside the culvert is higher than the water level outside it. This means they remained closed most of the time, preventing fish passage. When they did open, the water rushing out flowed too fast for fish to swim into the structure, preventing them from being able to get both upstream and downstream.
We’ve replaced one of the flap gates with a different design which stays open longer, providing fish with access for greater periods of time.
We also installed a rock weir just below the culvert. This rock weir slows the water flow, making it easier for fish to swim upstream.
New flood flap and rock work at the
Right: Biodiversity staff deploying a net to monitor the number of fish swimming through the letterbox slot during a tidal cycle.
Taranaki creek floodgate ‘fish letterbox’
An old floodgate on Taranaki creek in the Waimakariri district provided protection against tidal flooding, but at high tide, fish had to be able to dive down under a small gap along the bottom of the gate to get through. When the floodgate was due for replacement, engineers and biodiversity staff designed a new one with a ‘fish letterbox’ — a vertical slot that allows fish to swim up and downstream at most points of the tidal cycle, even when the main gate is closed.
Above:
Waikuku site.
How you can help promote fish passage
Some of the most simple and affordable methods to support fish passage are:
Backwatering: Sometimes fish passage is prevented because they have become overhanging (or perched) over time. To explain this is when the water level is higher on one side of the culvert than the other, creating a vertical drop. Backwatering is a good option to rectify this. Backwatering involves strategically placing rocks downstream, usually in a ‘V’ shape, to raise the water level and reconnect it with the water upstream.
Rock weirs: When water is channeled through narrow infrastructure like a culvert, the increased water velocity can impede fish passage. Creating rock weirs can be an effective way to mitigate this. This involves placing large rocks across the stream bed to form a zig zag stairway, slowing the water flow and forming small pockets of still water where fish can rest. It’s important to ensure there is at least one clear channel of water coming through the ramp during low stream flows.
Report your work back to us
The installation, alteration, maintenance and removal of most instream structures is a permitted activity under certain conditions.
This means you won’t need to apply for resource consent if you can meet those conditions, which include limits on the scale of work, a requirement that the structure was lawfully built, that works don’t take place during critical spawning seasons and that you provide information about the structure to us within 20 days of it being modified.
A full list of permitted activity conditions for each structure type is listed on our webpage ecan.govt.nz/managing-instream-structures
Use the free Fish Passage Assessment Tool
NIWA has developed a Fish Passage Assessment Tool to provide an easy way for people to document instream structures and assess their likely impact on fish movements and river connectivity.
The information collected using the app is automatically uploaded to a national fish passage database, which can help you document work to meet the permitted activity requirements.
Find the Fish Passage Assessment Tool at fishpassage.niwa.co.nz
ecan.govt.nz/managing-instream-structures
Play it safe by testing your drinking water supply
During the colder months we experience wetter soils, deeper drainage, and surface water ponding, all of which can pose risks to your private drinking water supply.
Now we’re on the other side of winter, it’s the ideal time to check your bore head and test your water. Annual water quality testing is a good habit to get into. This will help ensure your bore remains in good working order and protected from contaminants.
E.coli entering a drinking water supply is one of the health threats, especially after heavy rain. Other contaminants such as nitrate can also pose a problem, and nitrate levels can also spike when heavy rain follows a dry spell.
Remember, if you own a private drinking water source, you’re responsible for its maintenance and for testing your water.
If other dwellings on your farm share that drinking water source, then by law you’re considered to be their water supplier – something that comes with certain responsibilities.
To find out about these responsibilities, get in touch with Taumata Arowai – the water services regulator for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Testing your water
You should test your water regularly. We recommend getting an independently accredited IANZ lab to do the analysis. You can find out who and where these are taumataarowai.govt.nz
If you’re concerned about the water quality or if testing shows that the water does not meet drinking water standards, you’ll need to treat the water. Each water supply is different, so we recommend getting specialist advice before doing so.
The ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research) has produced a guide to household water supplies which provides advice on good system design, treatment and monitoring to reduce risks.
For more information, including a link to the ESR guide, visit ecan.govt.nz/our-drinking-water
Taking action together to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury, now and for future generations. Toitū te marae o Tāne, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te iwi. ecan.govt.nz
Have your say on our dams policy
A new policy is important because we need to:
1 Protect people, property and the environment from dangerous, earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams
2 Align the policy with the Governments new dam regulation ecan.govt.nz/ dam-regulations
To make a submission visit: ecan.govt.nz/dam-policy
Please provide your feedback by 4 October 2024.
Spring into action: How to protect your irrigation system from wind damage and minimise costly downtime
In the past five years we’ve seen $28 million in settled claims related to irrigation damage that resulted in weeks of lost production. This could have been mitigated with a solid strategy. FMG’s Advice Product Manager, Abby France, advises that with winds more likely at this time of year, spring is the ideal time to develop a comprehensive plan to minimise disruptions and avoid costly repairs.
“With the ongoing pressures on global supply chains, sourcing parts may be challenging, potentially leading to extended periods of downtime,” Abby notes.
When creating your plan, consider these four key areas:
Prediction
New Zealand’s weather is notoriously unpredictable. Farmers and growers are increasingly relying on digital tools and mobile apps to stay ahead of adverse weather conditions. Tools like Metservice and CWU, along with apps such as PredictWind and Windy, offer customisable wind speed alerts. For instance, setting a wind speed alert at 90km/hr will notify you if winds exceed this threshold, giving you valuable lead time to make informed decisions.
Authority
Establish clear lines of responsibility for monitoring weather conditions and implementing your action plan. Ensure that multiple people are designated to handle these tasks, as the key decision-maker may not always be onsite. Your plan should outline:
• who will monitor the weather
• who will decide when to act
• who will manage the irrigators.
Action
Everyone on your farm should be familiar with the agreed-upon plan for handling strong winds. This might include the Plan, Point, Park, and Anchor method. Ensure that all team members understand their roles and the process, including steps to take once the wind event has passed and how to resume irrigation.
Practice
Spring is an excellent time to rehearse your plan, especially if you have new team members. Given that these events can be sporadic, on-the-job practice can be limited. Set aside time to review and practise the plan, adjusting as necessary to ensure its effectiveness. Incorporate health and safety
considerations to ensure that your team remains safe under pressure.
“Wind damage to irrigators remains the leading cause of claims, accounting for 34 percent of all claims,” Abby reports. “Spring sees over half of all wind damage claims, so following our Plan, Point, Park, and Anchor advice, developed in collaboration with Irrigation New Zealand, can be highly beneficial.”
For more information and to access the free Irrigator Advice guide to help protect your irrigators this season, visit fmg.co.nz/advice/irrigators.
Cultivating governance: A journey from the farm to whenua leadership
Ko Owairaka te maunga
Ko Manukanuka o Hoturoa te moana
Ko Sam Vivian-Greer toku ingoa
No Whakaoriori ahau
E mahi ana ahau ki Te Tumu Paeroa
Ko toku tūranga, ko te Kaihautū Ratonga Whenua.
I grew up in Auckland and didn’t come from a farming background, but I was fortunate enough to discover agriculture in Year 10 at Mount Albert Grammar School. After finishing school, I attended the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre in the Wairarapa, which led to my first shepherding job at Wairere Rams, north of Masterton. Over the next decade, I worked on sheep and beef farms from Northland down to South Wairarapa.
I realised that I enjoyed working with farmers just as much as working on farms, so I completed an Agribusiness Degree (Farm Management) through Massey University while still working. This enabled me to transition to an off-farm role as a farm consultant for BakerAg in Masterton. For the past three and a half years, I have been working for Te Tumu Paeroa – the Office of the Māori Trustee – currently serving as the Whenua Services Manager. My role involves leading a team that supports commercial-scale farms and orchards, manages the forestry portfolio, and provides project management support for land development projects.
My time working on farms has given me a deep appreciation of the impact governancelevel decisions can have within a farming business. I’ve farmed through the pressures of droughts, southerly storms during lambing, animal health outbreaks, and market fluctuations, so I have a strong understanding of the challenges faced by farm teams during these events.
Although I am just beginning my governance journey, having recently completed the Institute of Directors’ Company Directors course, I now have a much better understanding of the crucial role strong governance plays in the primary sector and in managing whenua Māori.
Governance is essentially about enabling an organisation or business to deliver on its values and purpose while ensuring compliance with various regulations. This is particularly important in our work at Te Tumu Paeroa, where we support ahu whenua trusts.
We are fortunate to have highly-skilled
and experienced individuals in governance roles across the primary sector and whenua Māori. However, there is a growing need for more people to step into these roles to prevent current leaders from being overstretched. Recent changes to compliance requirements and legislation are placing additional demands on those in governance positions. Combined with the current economic environment, these challenges are forcing some incredibly tough decisions.
There is no doubt that we need strong succession pathways in governance and the continued development of future leaders in this space.
The role of the Māori Trustee is to provide professional trustee services for Māori, specifically in the governance of Māori land trusts and whenua. This requires specialised skills, and at Te Tumu Paeroa we work closely with owners and trustees to ensure their whenua is protected and enhanced for future generations. The Māori Trustee administers
The thing about working with whenua is realising that it was here long before us and was mostly fine until we arrived. What changes is how we use the land and how we manage it. Over time, as we’ve learned more about sustainable land use, we’ve adapted our practices, realising that some of the ways we’ve managed land in the past are no longer viable.
more than 78,000 hectares of whenua Māori across Aotearoa on behalf of over 105,000 owners.
One of our key focuses is building the capacity and capability of owners to govern and administer their whenua. Last year, Te Tumu Paeroa collaborated with Community Governance Aotearoa and others to develop the Māori Governance Toolkit –Tū Tiaki. This initiative is designed to provide practical support and guidance to those involved in the governance of Māori land.
When working with whenua, there is a need to balance short to medium term business requirements with the long-term nature of the land itself. Whenua will be here long after us, so we have a responsibility to ensure a sustainable future for it and for those who will work with it in the future. For whenua Māori, this also means considering the needs of the owners, many of whom do not live on or near their whenua.
The thing about working with whenua is realising that it was here long before us
and was mostly fine until we arrived. What changes is how we use the land and how we manage it. Over time, as we’ve learned more about sustainable land use, we’ve adapted our practices, realising that some of the ways we’ve managed land in the past are no longer viable.
My vision for the future of land management involves integrating emerging technologies, so we can gather and interpret data from a wide range of sources better than ever before. This will help us identify practices that need to be changed to ensure sustainability.
Access to high-quality, reliable data in a timely manner is crucial for making informed decisions in governance. Generative AI is creating more efficient ways to interact with large volumes of information, empowering decision-makers with more comprehensive data. The key is to embrace AI in a way that delivers the information needed while maintaining data integrity.
Geographic information system (GIS)
mapping is another rapidly developing tool that helps organisations visualise multiple data sets overlaid on aerial imagery. These technologies, when used wisely, have the potential to significantly enhance our ability to manage land sustainably and effectively.
Disc Filtration Technology
Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger: A vision for a food-secure
Despite New Zealand producing enough food to feed at least 20 million people, around 15 percent of all New Zealanders, including one in five children, go hungry each week. Although New Zealand grows amazing food and fibre there are still people going hungry. This displays the importance of having good food to continue feeding our people, and the necessity of the water to grow it.
Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger Collective is aiming to put a spotlight on these issues by addressing the root causes of food insecurity and working towards a future where everyone in Aotearoa has dignified access to enough nourishing food.
Kore Hiakai is a movement formed in 2018–2019 by various community organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand to address food insecurity and work towards a foodsecure country. It was born out of concerns over the increasing need for food parcels.
Kore Hiakai works alongside the Ministry for Social Development, the New Zealand Food Network, and the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance, among others, to tackle food-related poverty. Kore Hiakai, supported by foundations like The Todd Foundation, Lloyd Morrison Foundation, and The Gift Trust, is guided by the independent charitable Kai Rawa Trust and connects over 600 community food organisations across New Zealand.
Kore Hiakai Pou Arahi chief executive, Tric Malcolm, said the collective is made up of people and organisations committed to addressing the root causes of food-related poverty and to working together to create a food-secure Aotearoa. It brings together whānau, iwi, hapū, community food organisations, farmers, fishers, growers, manufacturers, distributors, philanthropists, and local and central government.
“We build Te Tiriti grounded, long term, mana-centred, sustainable solutions to ensure all people, at all times, have agency and access to enough nourishing, affordable, sustainably sourced, culturally appropriate food – this is a food-secure Aotearoa.”
She said they support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2.1 – “By
2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.”
Food security is defined as a state of being where all people at all times have agency and access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious, sustainably sourced, culturally appropriate food to thrive. Food insecurity exists when this is not achievable for all, and Tric Malcolm said right now, too many New Zealanders are hungry – being prevented from being able to access affordable and nutritious kai.
“Understanding the difference between food security and food insecurity helps all of us make appropriate responses to resolve these issues. Food insecurity often requires a food assistance response. Food security invites us to have a whole system response. Food insecurity is experienced by people and Papatūānuku but is driven by systems. It’s a symptom of underlying poverty issues such as inadequate income, and unaffordable and inadequate housing.”
Of the Aotearoa New Zealand population, 15–20 percent experience moderate to severe food insecurity at any time.
Sustained food insecurity over time is incredibly stressful. It negatively impacts mental and physical health, relationships, and educational achievement. It impacts our collective productivity and limits the potential for us all.
Kore Hiakai Pou Arahi chief executive, Tric Malcolm.
Aotearoa
“The rising cost of living means that it’s getting harder and harder for everyone to earn enough money to pay for rent, groceries, and healthcare to support our families. It is important that all people in Aotearoa New Zealand understand the personal impacts of poverty for so many of us, and that it – poverty – is something we can change, together,” Tric said.
“Sustained food insecurity over time is incredibly stressful. It negatively impacts mental and physical health, relationships, and educational achievement. It impacts our collective productivity and limits the potential for us all.”
In recent years, New Zealand's social services, social enterprises, and food industries have increasingly provided food assistance as the number of people facing food poverty has grown. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased these challenges, leading to expanded charitable efforts like food banks and low-cost meal programmes, which highlight the ongoing food insecurity caused by broken systems.
Tric explained food insecurity can affect anyone, often triggered by illness, job loss, or other life changes, and it impacts us all. Rooted in issues like low wages, high housing costs, and complex supply chains, food poverty is a systemic problem. “However, by using our collective power and creativity, we can reimagine and implement systems that ensure everyone thrives.”
Kore Hiakai shines a light on the reality of food insecurity, working collaboratively to tackle the root causes as well as redesign systems for a food-secure future. As Tric Malcom said, "None of us are truly food-secure until all of us are." Kore Hiakai's efforts include research and resources like the Kā Makona report, which highlights the inadequacy of incomes and the impact of rising housing costs. They've also developed the Aotearoa Food Parcel Measure (AFPM) to understand food parcel distribution across the motu and ensure nutritional adequacy for our vulnerable populations.
Their community food distribution practice model, Mana to Mana, focuses on
connecting with people and honouring their mana, guided by Ao Māori wisdom. Their upcoming report, Kai Motuhake, delves into the impact of colonisation on Māori access to food and explores the link between Te Tiriti o Waitangi, food sovereignty, and food security. As they believe, "Food sovereignty in Aotearoa is linked to Māori sovereignty, and without land sovereignty, food sovereignty for all is impossible."
BEYOND CHARITY: BUILDING FOOD SECURITY THROUGH LOCAL ACTION
Helping to feed the hungry is a compassionate response. Donating food or volunteering do not address the root causes of poverty or create lasting food security. To make a real impact we need to focus on supporting local food systems. Choose locally owned cafés and farmers' markets and get involved with community gardens or food forests. Reduce food waste by sharing surplus with local pātaka kai or composting. Building food security means investing in the local food economy, and celebrating initiatives for our environment, water, and food sources.
Kore Hiakai is committed to collaborating with others to tackle the root causes of foodrelated poverty, while fostering food security
in our communities. As Tric highlighted, the 2023 report, Realising Food Secure Communities in Aotearoa, identifies local opportunities for building food security. By connecting with diverse groups (including local councils, farmers and fishers, growing groups, food coops, food industry partners, and more) Kore Hiakai aims to spark innovation, empower local initiatives, and forge cross-sector partnerships to address these complex issues and create meaningful change.
As a collective they aim to continue to deepen their understanding of food security and insecurity in order to highlight the challenges and opportunities regarding achieving a food-secure Aotearoa. “This includes building relationships, partnering on initiatives, conducting research, and gathering data to create impactful reports, resources, and connections. By collaborating to develop long-term solutions – like advocating for a unified national food strategy – we can ensure everyone in Aotearoa has dignified access to enough good food,” Tric said.
Learn more at zerohunger.org.nz or get involved by emailing admin@korehiakai.org.nz.
New training modules for farm advisors launched by Our Land and Water
Three training modules for farm advisors have recently been launched by Our Land and Water.
The free training has been developed to support rural professionals in the work they do with farmers. They build capability in effective communication, identifying the most effective mitigation actions for farm environment plans, and helping farm businesses make decisions around land-use diversification.
While they were designed for farm advisors and tertiary educators and their students, we think the learning modules will also be useful for all those working to support change in the primary sector.
The training modules provide a pathway using tools and resources developed throughout eight years of research funded by Our Land and Water. They introduce tools that may be helpful and show how to use them.
Each module can be completed in 60–90 minutes, with plenty of additional reading material provided as optional deep dives.
The three modules are outlined below, and can be accessed via ourlandandwater.nz/learn.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY MODULE
This learning module equips farm advisors with the skills to help farmers create cost-effective freshwater environment plans. Key learning outcomes include identifying relevant water quality mitigation actions, effectively using Our Land and Water resources, assessing suitable actions and their trade-offs, and understanding the limits of data at the farm level. The module synthesises insights from eight research programmes and three Rural Professionals Fund projects, and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.
COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY WITH FARMERS MODULE
This module uses social science research to teach farm advisors how to improve communication with farmers and the rural community. Participants will learn strategies to overcome communication barriers, understand why people think the way they do, and consider how information given to farmers interacts with other sources. The module draws from four research programmes, four Rural Professionals Fund projects, and an Our Land and Water-funded report and thesis. It takes about 60 minutes to complete.
TOOLS FOR MAKING LAND USE CHANGE DECISIONS MODULE
This module helps farm advisors guide farmers in making informed decisions about land use diversification. It covers the benefits and consequences of diversification, involving broader groups, accessing support and advice, and using tools for decision-making. The module draws on research from 20 projects, including 12 research programmes, 5 Rural Professionals Fund projects, and 2 events. It takes approximately 75 minutes to complete.
Stephen McNally Principal Technical Advisor IrrigationNZ
Technical matters
WHERE ARE WE AT WITH THE RMA REFORMS?
The Resource Management Act (RMA) has long been contentious, particularly within the agricultural sector. The RMA’s strong focus on environmental protection has historically overlooked agriculture’s crucial role in feeding humanity and the need for accessible freshwater for diverse uses. This has stalled critical water storage and distribution projects that could otherwise secure community drinking water, support hydro energy production, manage floods, enhance environmental flows, and strengthen food production systems.
In December 2023, the new Parliament passed legislation repealing the Natural and Built Environment Act (NBA) and the Spatial Planning Act (SPA) as part of the Government’s 100-day plan. This repeal marked the start of a major overhaul of planning legislation, aimed at creating a new resource management framework that balances environmental protection with simplified development processes across New Zealand.
The reform process is being rolled out in phases. The initial phase focuses on streamlining the consent process for new infrastructure, including water storage projects crucial for primary industries. Concurrently, the Fast Track Approvals Bill has been introduced as a temporary measure, expected to be replaced by the broader RMA review.
IrrigationNZ supports this legislative review, viewing it as vital for unlocking investment in essential water storage infrastructure. Such investment is crucial for climate change adaptation, managing population growth, and improving environmental flows.
The Government’s RMA reforms should adopt a more strategic national approach to spatial planning and resource management, addressing all human needs, including drink-
ing water and food production. A national water strategy is needed to better balance environmental impacts with the demands of a growing population.
Regulations must be fit for purpose and avoid imposing unnecessary or unreasonable costs on producers. Catchment and farmspecific actions are more effective for managing freshwater risks, highlighting the need to enhance the Freshwater Farm Planning system to reduce costs and complexity while integrating industry and community-developed plans.
The Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill proposes several changes to streamline processes and address current issues:
• Excluding the Te Mana o te Wai hierarchy of obligations within the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) from resource consent applications and decisionmaking processes
• Removing additional controls for coal mining consents, aligning them with those for other mineral extraction activities in or around wetlands and Significant Natural Areas (SNAs)
• Suspending requirements for councils to identify and include new SNAs under the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB) 2023 for three years
• Extending the time for councils to identify new SNAs under the NPSIB until December 2030
• Removing low slope land requirements regulating farm animals’ access to water bodies
• Removing requirements related to intensive winter grazing
• Expediting the creation or amendment of national direction under the RMA
While these proposals have passed their first reading and are subject to targeted consultation, IrrigationNZ acknowledges that a broader RMA review is underway, covering many other critical aspects of New Zealand’s planning for the future.
A key point of contention is the Te Mana o te Wai hierarchy of obligations in the NPS-FM. IrrigationNZ proposes revising this hierarchy to ensure a balanced approach in policy design and regional plans. Water health is important, but it should not overshadow other essential needs like food production and access to safe drinking water. Streamlining the process for preparing and amending national direction, including environmental standards and policy statements, is also crucial.
Expedited reforms should address immediate issues but must undergo thorough review to avoid muddled legislation. This review should involve stakeholders from various sectors, including irrigated food and fibre production, to incorporate diverse perspectives and expertise.
IrrigationNZ had highlighted problems arising from recent interpretations of RMA sections 70 and 107 related to discharges. These interpretations have affected community irrigation schemes’ progress towards environmental targets and could lead to unintended consequences for all human activity discharges. IrrigationNZ was pleased to see a sensible reaction from the Government that announced they will be looking to clarify section 107 of the RMA as part of their wider review of immediate improvements to the Act.
The clarification to the discharge consenting provisions in the RMA will provide certainty for all types of discharges to water, including agricultural, horticultural, industrial, waste, and stormwater discharges. It
also supports councils in managing discharge consents to minimise their impact over the duration of the consent.
The Fast Track Approvals Bill, approved by Cabinet, aims to expedite the approval process for essential infrastructure development by cutting through historical delays. While IrrigationNZ supports the principles of this bill, there is concern about its necessity. The RMA, in its current form, has not adequately served New Zealand, focusing exclusively on environmental protections at the expense of strategic resource management.
Water availability and security are crucial for future land-use decisions, yet this fundamental concept is not sufficiently addressed in current planning or infrastructure frameworks. The Fast Track Approvals Bill, along with the broader RMA reforms, presents an opportunity to stabilise New Zealand’s future by enabling well-considered water storage and distribution projects.
KEY PRINCIPLES FOR FRESHWATER FARM PLANS (FWFP)
IrrigationNZ has been participating alongside several sector organisations in the review of the FWFP regulations. The primary message from the irrigation sector stresses the importance of ensuring that farmers and their needs are at the centre of the FWFP system. This farmer-centric approach aims to enhance the successful uptake and implementation of the regulations, leading to practical environmental improvements where necessary. A complex system, or one where farmers are unable or unwilling to
take ownership of improvement actions, will face significant implementation challenges. It is crucial to design the regulations in a way that encourages farmer engagement with the FWFP process, agreement with the assessment process, and understanding of the consequences of non-compliance. If the FWFP tool appears overly bureaucratic and compliance-focused, there will be a missed opportunity to centre the regulations on agreed environmental outcomes.
Clear and consistent roles for various stakeholders, including developers, auditors, and regulators, are essential for building farmers’ confidence in the system and ensuring that external observers view the FWFP system as robust and defensible.
The review of the FWFP regulations exists within a confusing legislative space, with RMA reforms and other legislative changes occurring simultaneously, likely to impact this narrowly-focused regulation.
A good farming business inherently takes a risk-based approach to decision-making, whether informally for daily tasks or more formally for documented long-term land management decisions.
A well-scoped FWFP should integrate with this process, supporting informed decision-making and balancing business capacity and resource planning.
DAMS: WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
The Dam Safety Regulations have been in place since 2022 and came into effect in May 2024. The date for complying with the regulations was 14 August 2024, and that has raced past some dam owners! As a dam owner,
if you haven’t already addressed this, you need to understand your obligations to avoid the consequences of non-compliance. There has been extensive communication on these regulations so the responsibility for action squarely lies with dam owners. Doing nothing is not going to be helpful.
The threshold criteria for a classifiable dam are based on height and storage capacity. Dams above 4 metres in height and with capacities exceeding 20,000 cubic metres fall under these regulations. Central to the compliance process is obtaining a certified ‘Potential Impact Classification’ (PIC) for each dam, which requires expert evaluation and documentation. Farmers can only obtain this certification from a recognised dam engineer* and must submit it to their respective regional council. Our investigations have indicated only a handful of rural dam owners nationwide have registered their PIC, which is a concern.
The registration of recognised dam engineers by Engineering New Zealand is progressing. However, the availability of these engineers varies by region, with some being extremely busy and others waiting for assignments.
It is important to note that while obtaining an extension to the August deadline may be possible, this needs to be discussed with
*Scan the QR code to view a register of recognised engineers (as at August 2024).
your regional council soon. Some councils may offer consideration of extensions rather than going to enforcement, but fines for inaction are allowable under the regulations.
SUBMISSION TO STATS NZ ON THE REVIEW OF TRANS-TASMAN OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATIONS
The current proposal for a separate but aligned occupation classification in Aotearoa New Zealand offers a pivotal opportunity to enhance the alignment of occupation definitions with career pathways and vocational training. Particularly within the agricultural sector and irrigation trades, poor external visibility and inadequately defined career pathways hinder effective succession, training, and capability development.
We believe that the initiative to realign occupation classification in Aotearoa New Zealand necessitates strong cooperation between Stats NZ, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Workforce Development Councils such as Muka Tangata and Hanga Aro Rau, Industry Training Organisations (ITOs), and employers.
There is substantial evidence of transTasman and international employee movement into skilled work roles in New Zealand’s agricultural sector. However, there remain uncertainties and barriers to confidence in the adequacy of skill levels and the comparability of training programmes between the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This uncertainty limits the recruitment, retention, and transfer of skilled employees, particularly in roles
uniquely specific to New Zealand’s agricultural and irrigation sectors. This issue is highlighted by the current misalignment in the recognition of irrigation-related roles, which are included in the Australian version of Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) but not adopted in New Zealand.
Additionally, government legislation and consumer expectations, both domestically and from export markets, are driving the need for higher environmental performance within the food supply chain. This includes the necessity for adopting best practices in natural resource use, such as water for irrigation. The required skill sets are expanding with technological changes and demanding higher levels in line with external expectations. Clearly defined career pathways and skills alignment underscore the necessity for accurate and inclusive occupation categories.
CLIMATE COMMISSION
DELIVERS FIRST ADAPTATION MONITORING REPORT
The Minister of Climate Change released in August 2024 the national adaptation plan progress report from He Pou a Rangi, the Climate Change Commission. This report marks the Commission’s first-ever monitoring effort on the government’s national adaptation plan, originally introduced in 2022. It provides an independent, evidence-based assessment of the plan’s effectiveness and progress.
The impacts of climate change are increasingly affecting the lives and livelihoods of New Zealanders. Despite a clear understanding of the necessary actions to
mitigate and adapt to these changes, Aotearoa New Zealand is not adapting at the required scale or pace. A series of extreme weather events since early last year has underscored this issue, as highlighted in the report.
The report includes nine recommendations aimed at shifting from a reactive approach to an initiative-taking one and improving national adaptation planning and monitoring. The report identifies top priorities for urgent action and emphasises that adaptation is a local issue, requiring central government support to provide communities with the tools needed to make informed choices.
Key recommendations include:
• Enabling effective local planning and action
• Providing clarity on cost-sharing
• Ensuring iwi/Māori can plan and act
• Improving the science and research system
• Preventing unfair distribution of costs and impacts
• Preparing a workforce development strategy
• Facilitating the sharing of expertise and information
• Clarifying the direction, scale, and pace of required changes
• Enhancing the plan’s effectiveness and monitoring
A notable aspect of the report is the mention of freshwater impacts, however mostly in the context of urban infrastructure and environmental risk. However, the term “irrigation” appears only once. A footnote defines water infrastructure to include
Photo: Adobe Stock
potable water, wastewater, stormwater, rural drainage, river control and flood protection, and irrigation (productive water). This categorisation of water highlights irrigation as a significant component of lifeline infrastructure, alongside essential services like transport, energy, and telecommunications.
The report also mentions the risk to land-based primary sector productivity due to changes in rainfall, temperature, weather extremes, and invasive species distribution, highlighting a significant need for defined actions. The former Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) water availability and security programme is noted for its potential benefits in reducing exposure to natural environment risks. While the water availability and security programme is not referenced in this latest report’s action tables, it was highlighted by Te Waihanga in the National Adaptation Action Plan (NAP) released in 2023. The lack of a national water strategy underscores the need for continuous and coordinated efforts to address climate adaptation comprehensively.
FUTURE OF PRECISION IRRIGATION IN NEW ZEALAND
As the world faces growing population pressures and evolving consumer demands, precision irrigation stands at the forefront of an increasing need for diverse and nutritious diets. This challenge is met through advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), which play a critical role in precision irrigation, thus supporting food security and enabling the cultivation of a variety of crops.
Precision irrigation strategies are evolving. Just-in-time irrigation leverages real-time data from AI and IoT to optimise water use, reducing waste and enhancing efficiency. In contrast, just-in-case irrigation, which relies on pre-emptive watering, becomes harder to justify in terms of efficient resource use. However, it could be improved with a more reliable water supply, potentially drawn from storage.
One of the significant advantages of precision irrigation technology is its ability to provide real-time data, which is crucial for proactive management. Although biological systems operate slowly compared to the speed of data collection, real-time insights allow farmers to make timely decisions and take immediate actions. This responsiveness is vital for managing irrigation needs accurately and
While AI offers the ability to process and present data on irrigation recommendations, human expertise remains essential for final decision-making, blending technological insights with agricultural intuition.
efficiently, ensuring that crops receive optimal water levels.
The sheer volume and speed of data generated by IoT devices poses challenges for human analysis. Farmers can struggle to keep up with the data influx. AI systems interpret vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and provide predictive insights, easing the cognitive load on human operators and improving decision-making.
While AI offers the ability to process and present data on irrigation recommendations, human expertise remains essential for final decision-making, blending technological insights with agricultural intuition.
Integrating retrospective data with real-time weather forecasts enhances irrigation strategies. By combining historical soil moisture data with current weather predictions, farmers can optimise irrigation practices, particularly during unpredictable shoulder seasons. This integration helps in planning and adjusting irrigation schedules to accommodate changing weather conditions.
RISING CARBON DIOXIDE (CO₂) LEVELS AND THEIR IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE
In July 2024, NIWA (National Institute of Weather and Atmospheric Research) reported the latest CO₂ readings at Baring Head, New Zealand, showing a concentration of 416 parts per million (ppm). This marks a slight increase from the 414 ppm recorded the previous year. Since monitoring began in December 1972, when CO₂ levels were at 326 ppm, we’ve seen a 28 percent increase, which is consistent with global readings taken by scientists. When I engaged in building and monitoring greenhouses for crop production in the 1980s and ‘90s, the calibration for CO₂ monitoring equipment was normally set
at about 340 ppm.
Such data is vital for understanding how human activities, such as food production, mechanisation, waste management, and the burning of fossil fuels, have been impacting our environment fundamentally since the Industrial Revolution, a period of major industrialisation and innovation that began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century.
The Industrial Revolution profoundly impacted food production, with both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, it introduced mechanisation and advanced agricultural techniques, significantly increasing food production and efficiency. Innovations such as the seed drill, mechanical reaper, and threshing machine allowed for quicker and more effective planting, harvesting, and processing of crops, leading to higher yields and the ability to support a growing global population. Additionally, improvements in transportation, like the steam engine and railways, facilitated the rapid distribution of food to urban centres, reducing spoilage and expanding markets. However, the Industrial Revolution also brought negative consequences, including the environmental impacts of expanding productive land, deforestation, and an increase in the use of fossil fuels. The continuous rise in atmospheric CO₂ levels reflects the significant impact of all human activity.
However, it’s essential to recognise that in the Earth’s history, CO₂ concentrations have been much higher. For instance, around 50 million years ago, CO₂ levels exceeded 1,500 ppm, significantly affecting global temperatures even then.
From a food production perspective, CO₂ plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen using photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). This reaction is fundamental for plant growth and the production of oxygen, which is essential for life on Earth.
While the current increase in CO₂ is concerning, especially in relation to climate change and its effects on weather patterns, some public discourse has inaccurately labelled the recent CO₂ levels over 400 ppm as toxic to humans.
In controlled environments like the greenhouses I used to work with, enriching the air with CO₂ to levels between 800 and 1,500 ppm could be shown to enhance plant growth, harvest yield, and product quality, provided
other factors such as moisture, nutrients, PAR, and temperature were not limiting.
When investigating what greenhouse enrichment levels were safe for staff, I recall accessing research from studies on US military submarine environments, where sailors are often confined for extended periods without fresh air. The studies indicated that exposure to CO₂ levels up to 15,000 ppm for extended periods (42 days) could affect mood and behaviour but did not impair cognitive performance. I hasten to say the greenhouse staff were never under that degree of pressure!
In agriculture and horticulture, higher CO₂ levels, even the shift to 414ppm, can lead to incremental gains in crop yields and improved quality. This is because CO₂ is a vital component in the photosynthetic process, which drives all other biological processes for plant growth.
Interestingly, higher CO₂ levels in highly urbanised environments have been observed to lead to faster growth rates in city trees. Similarly, research shows that trees at the edge of forests grow faster than those in the middle, partially due to reduced CO₂ availability within the dense canopy. These observations highlight how factors such as CO₂ concentration, light, temperature, and nutrients, can significantly influence plant growth.
Beyond its role in photosynthesis, CO₂ is also involved in soil health and carbon sequestration. When plants die and decompose, CO₂ is released back into the atmosphere. However, through proper agricultural management, it is possible to sequester carbon in the soil in the form of organic matter, particularly in adding depth to humus topsoil layers.
Irrigation plays a significant role in maintaining soil health and enhancing its carbon-sequestering capacity, assuming factors such as temperature, nutrient availability, and soil aeration are managed to maintain an overall healthy soil.
Irrigation plays a significant role in maintaining soil health and enhancing its carbonsequestering capacity, assuming factors such as temperature, nutrient availability, and soil aeration are managed to maintain an overall healthy soil. By ensuring that soil moisture levels are optimal, irrigation supports good microbial activity, which is crucial for the release of nutrients for growth of organic matter and the formation of stable humus. This creates a beneficial cycle where improved soil health leads to enhanced plant growth, which sequesters more carbon, further improving soil health.
Advancements in precision irrigation can play a pivotal role in this balance. By using technology to monitor soil moisture levels and weather forecasts, irrigation can
be applied more efficiently, reducing water waste, and ensuring that plants receive the right amount of water at the right time. This not only conserves water but also supports optimal plant growth, soil health, and carbon sequestration.
As we navigate the complexities of rising CO₂ levels, it’s important to approach the issue with a balanced perspective. Understanding the dual role of CO₂ as both a greenhouse gas and a critical component for all life is key to developing strategies that support both environmental policies and food chain productivity. As we continue to monitor and manage CO₂ levels, informed decision-making and innovative practices will be crucial in addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for New Zealand’s farming communities.
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Entries open for the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy Sheep and Beef Competition
The search is on to find the top Māori sheep or beef farm, with entries now open for the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition.
The competition is open to individual Māori farmers as well as trusts and other entities around Aotearoa. The competition alternates each year between three categories; dairy, sheep and beef, and horticulture, with the 2025 competition being for sheep and beef.
The competition was inaugurated in 1933 by then Governor General Lord Bledisloe and one of te ao Māori’s greatest leaders, Sir Apirana Ngata. The objective then and now is to foster the growth and development of Māori in livestock farming and horticulture.
The announcement heralding the start of the competition was made at the annual conference of the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) in Hamilton. Speaking to the large gathering of rural professionals, Chair of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee, Nukuhia Hadfield, said it was very appropriate that the 2025 competition was launched at the NZIPIM conference. She said rural professionals have played and continue to play a significant role in the development of Māori farming in Aotearoa, adding that it’s great to see NZIPIM taking the initiative to boost the capability of qualified Māori agriculture professionals.
She urged rural professionals to promote the competition and to encourage Māori sheep and beef farmers to enter, saying they
also stand to gain by having an innovative and successful Māori agribusiness sector.
Nukuhia Hadfield and her husband Bart are previous winners of the Ahuwhenua competition for sheep and beef. She said that just being entrants, let alone winners, was hugely beneficial to them as farmers. “As part of the judging process, each farm is carefully evaluated by an experienced team of rural professionals, and as part of the process they offer insightful comments that will benefit the owners. We certainly found this to be the case and others who have entered the competition have said the same thing.”
Nukuhia said the competition is an opportunity for Māori to highlight the excellence of their sheep and beef farming operations. She said that Māori farming makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy, with Māori contributing to more than 15 percent of the total earnings of the sheep and beef sector.
Jo Finer, the CEO of NZIPIM, said her organisation was delighted to host the launch
of the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition for 2025. She said the goals of the competition align well with the aspirations of the NZIPIM, where in the Māori Agribusiness conference session they seek to share the insights and initiatives from the industry experts they collaborate with. She said NZIPIM members wish to work and grow with people who will engage effectively with Māori landowners and whenua Māori entities involved in the primary sector in Aotearoa.
Initial judging of entrants will take place early in 2025, with the eventual finalists announced at Parliament in late February. The finalists then stage field days at their respective farms during late March and early April. The winner of the competition will be announced at an awards dinner on Friday 6 June 2025 in Palmerston North.
Details on how to enter, including the judging criteria, are on the Ahuwhenua Trophy website www.ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz
Photo: Adobe Stock
SAVE THE DATE:
WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2024
IrrigationNZ AGM
IrrigationNZ Awards Evening
IrrigationNZ AGM
Join us for the IrrigationNZ Annual General Meeting, held from 5pm at Level 18, ANZ Centre, 171 Featherston Street, Wellington.
Let’s celebrate our successes and look ahead to shaping the future of irrigation in New Zealand.
Board Nominations are open and can be made until 1 October 2024: www.irrigationnz.co.nz/ EventsAndTraining/AGM
Register for the IrrigationNZ AGM and the IrrigationNZ Awards Evening:
IrrigationNZ Awards Evening
Join us as we celebrate our winners at the 2024 Irrigation Awards Evening, held in Wellington on the 6th November, from 6pm at Level 18, ANZ Centre, 171 Featherston Street, Wellington. The awards evening is proudly sponsored by the Zimmatic in conjunction with the Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards. The event will showcase seven awards.
Irrigation New Zealand Awards
• Ron Cocks Memorial Award for Outstanding Leadership
• Innovation in Irrigation Award sponsored by Vantage NZ
• Sustainable Irrigation Management Award sponsored by Irricon Resource Solutions
• Environmental Stewardship & Community Award sponsored by Farmers Weekly
• Judges’ Choice Award (awarded at judges’ discretion)
• Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Supreme Award sponsored by Zimmatic
Let’s celebrate together the outstanding achievements of these people who innovate, enhance, and support sustainability, in the irrigation industry. Drinks and nibbles will be available at the awards evening thanks to the generous sponsorship of Anderson Lloyd.
To register your attendance or for more information scan the QR code above, or visit www.irrigationnz.co.nz/AGM
INNOVATION IN IRRIGATION AWARD FINALISTS 2024: Highlighting irrigation innovation in New Zealand
The biennial Innovation in Irrigation Award is to celebrate, encourage, and promote innovation and the positive things being undertaken in our communities with and because of irrigation. It’s about ordinary people doing extraordinary things on farms, in schemes, in business, and in supporting service industries.
We’ve received a diverse range of impressive entries, each highlighting different facets of innovation in water management. After careful consideration, we’ve selected four standout finalists. An outline of each of their innovations is below.
The winner will be announced at our IrrigationNZ Awards Evening on November 6.
RANGITATA SOUTH IRRIGATION SCHEME (RSIL) AND METEOROLOGY SOLUTIONS
The Rangitata South Irrigation Scheme (RSIL), in collaboration with Meteorology Solutions, has introduced an innovative AI-powered river flow prediction system. RSIL, a farmer-owned irrigation scheme in South Canterbury, relies on capturing flood flows from the Rangitata River. By integrating 40 years of river flow data with advanced weather models and machine learning, Meteorology Solutions has developed a system that predicts flood events up to six days in advance, offering crucial information to scheme operators.
This system provides several benefits, such as an extended forecasting window that allows operators more time for planning engineering work and coordinating bird surveys when diverting a river braid to the intake canal. Additionally, the model is calibrated for different seasons, enhancing the accuracy of water collection predictions. This improved forecasting enables better-informed decisions about water releases from storage dams, optimising the water supply for RSIL shareholders.
The tool is anticipated to become a vital operational asset for RSIL and could potentially be adopted by other irrigation schemes to manage water restrictions and prepare for future rainfall events. This entry highlights the benefits of precise data management for our natural water resources.
BACTOSURE
Bactosure has presented its advanced portable microbiology testing technology. This innovation significantly advances water quality monitoring by providing rural communities with an efficient, reliable solution for detecting and counting harmful bacteria in irrigation water, such as E. coli and total coliforms.
Bactosure’s portable, battery-powered device automates laboratorygrade testing, making it field-accessible. Users simply collect a water sample, add a reagent, and start the device, which delivers results in under half a day. The device features Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity for real-time data transmission, and offline capability for operation in remote areas.
This system offers profound benefits for rural communities by eliminating the need for lengthy and costly sample transportation, ensuring faster results, and reducing contamination risk. With a costeffective subscription model, Bactosure provides high-end testing access to financially constrained areas, aiding in regulatory compliance and safeguarding community health.
This approach simplifies water testing, enhances environmental sustainability, and supports the safety of rural drinking water supplies, making it a strong contender in the 2024 competition.
CROPTIDE
Croptide has introduced a groundbreaking plant-based water status measurement technology. Designed to improve water management for growers, Croptide’s novel sensor attaches directly to the stems of permanent crops such as grapevines, apple trees, and kiwifruit vines.
The sensor collects continuous electrical data from the plant’s tissues, including membranes and sap. This data is analysed using Croptide’s
IrrigationNZ’s Innovation in Irrigation Award is sponsored by Vantage NZ.
proprietary algorithms to provide precise insights into plant water status. The information is then transmitted to the cloud and displayed in real-time via an app, allowing growers to monitor crop water needs with exceptional accuracy.
The device’s simplicity and ease of installation make it scalable for widespread use in orchards and vineyards. Real-time plantbased insights enable growers to make more informed irrigation decisions, optimising water use, enhancing fruit quality and yield, and reducing environmental impacts.
Currently deployed across over 100 pilot sites in New Zealand, including with leading companies like Zespri and Villa Maria, Croptide’s technology shows promise for transforming irrigation practices in permanent crops and improving agricultural sustainability.
NANOBUBBLE AGRITECH
Nanobubble Agritech has introduced its advanced nanobubble technology, which has demonstrated significant improvements in irrigation efficiency and pasture growth. This technology injects high concentrations of oxygen nanobubbles into irrigation water, enhancing soil aeration and plant uptake of water and nutrients.
Implemented on five commercial farms across New Zealand – including Henderson Farms, where it covers 92 hectares under a pivot irrigator – the technology has reduced water use by 15 percent and increased pasture production by 25–30 percent compared to control areas. Additionally, the system allows irrigation three out of every four days while maintaining optimal soil moisture, unlike other pivots on the farm that must operate continuously.
Nanobubble Agritech’s solution is cost-effective in the long term when accounting for capital, operational, and maintenance costs, as well as water savings and production gains. This technology holds significant potential, especially in challenging environments affected by strong El Niño summers.
INHD
10/23
Seasonal climate outlook September–November 2024
OUTLOOK SUMMARY
The effect of a minor Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event in July–August is expected to contribute to lower than normal air pressure south of Aotearoa New Zealand during September, leading to unsettled and windy weather patterns, particularly in the west. La Niña-like patterns may develop in mid-to-late spring, favouring the return of higher-than-normal air pressure to New Zealand. A La Niña Watch continues and there is a 50 percent chance that an event officially develops by the end of spring.
Spring temperatures are most likely to be above average in the north and east of the North Island and east of the South Island. Spells of unusual spring warmth are likely as warm air masses from Australia occasionally flow eastward into New Zealand. Near average or above average temperatures are about equally likely for all remaining regions.
Spring rainfall is about equally likely to be near normal or above normal in the west of the North Island and
north and west of the South Island, consistent with more westerly quarter winds, fronts, and low-pressure systems, especially early in spring. Near normal spring rainfall is most likely in the north of the North Island with near normal or below normal rainfall about equally likely in the east of both islands.
Coastal sea surface temperatures (SSTs) ranged from 0.45˚C to 0.64˚C above average during August, an increase of 0.1˚C to 0.2˚C compared to July.
Winter snowfall, catchment-level river flows, and groundwater recharge were below normal in several regions. These factors could present challenging conditions for water-reliant sectors heading into spring.
Spring soil moisture levels are most likely to be near normal in all regions of the country.
Spring river flows are most likely to be near normal in the west of the North Island and the north and west of the South Island and about equally likely to be near normal or below normal in all remaining regions.
REGIONAL PREDICTIONS
Probabilities (or percent chances) are assigned in three categories: above average, near average, and below average. In the absence of any forecast guidance there would be an equal likelihood (33 percent chance) of the outcome being in any one of the three categories. Forecast information from local and global guidance models is used to indicate the deviation from equal chance expected for the coming three-month period.
Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty
• Temperatures are most likely to be above average (55 percent chance).
• Rainfall totals are most likely to be near normal (45 percent chance). Regular fronts are expected to impact southern parts of the region during September, although a trend toward high pressure in mid-to-late spring could see rainfall turn less frequent.
• Soil moisture levels are most likely to be near normal (45 percent chance) while river flows are equally likely to be near normal or below normal (40 percent chance each).
Central North Island, Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu, Wellington
• Temperatures are about equally likely to be above average (50 percent chance) or near average (45 percent chance).
• Rainfall totals are equally likely to be near normal (40 percent chance) or above normal (40 percent chance). Frequent fronts are expected to deliver regular rainfall during September and may sometimes be heavy enough to cause flooding.
• Soil moisture levels and river flows are most likely to be near normal (45–50 percent chance).
Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa
• Temperatures are most likely to be above average (55 percent chance). Occasional air masses from Australia will contribute to unusually warm conditions at times during September.
• Rainfall totals are about equally likely to be near normal (40 percent chance) or below normal (35 percent chance). Westerly flows during September will likely contribute to dry spells.
• Soil moisture levels are most likely to be near normal (45 percent chance) while river flows are equally likely to be near normal or below normal (40 percent chance each).
Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, Buller
• Temperatures are about equally likely to be above average (50 percent chance) or near average (45 percent chance).
• Rainfall totals are about equally likely to be near normal (40 percent chance) or above normal (35 percent chance). Frequent fronts are expected to deliver regular rainfall during September and may sometimes be heavy enough to cause flooding.
• Soil moisture levels and river flows are most likely to be near normal (45–50 percent chance).
West Coast, Southern Alps and foothills, inland Otago, Southland
• Temperatures are about equally likely to be above average (50 percent chance) or near average (45 percent chance). The second week of September may come with a chance for frosts.
• Rainfall totals are equally likely to be near normal (40 percent chance) or above normal (40 percent chance). Frequent fronts and lows are expected to deliver regular rainfall during September and may sometimes be heavy enough to cause flooding.
• Soil moisture levels and river flows are most likely to be near normal (40–50 percent chance).
Coastal Canterbury and the nearby plains, east Otago
• Temperatures are most likely to be above average (55 percent chance). Occasional air masses from Australia will contribute to unusually warm conditions at times during spring.
• Rainfall totals are about equally likely to be near normal (40 percent chance) or below normal (35 percent chance). Westerly flows during September will likely contribute to dry spells.
• Soil moisture levels are most likely to be near normal (50 percent chance) while river flows are equally likely to be near normal or below normal (45 percent chance each).
This is an extract of the Seasonal Climate Outlook published by NIWA.
New Zealand food trade
By supporting healthy plant growth, irrigation contributes directly to the availability of nutritious food, helping to meet dietary needs and promote overall health in communities. METRIC TONNES PER DAY
*Other plant is everything that isn’t cereals, fruit, or vegetables. It includes oil crops, tea and coffee, starchy roots, etc. Data from the Sustainable Nutrition Initiative® Nutrient Trade Model, (www.sustainablenutritioninitiative.com). The data was calculated from annual trade reporting, averaged over the five year period 2016–2020.
If you own or operate a water supply that is being used as drinking water by people outside of your own home, you are a Drinking Water Supplier and have responsibilities under the Water Services Act 2021. Talk to our team today about taking the first steps to register as a Drinking Water Supplier.
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