Ron Cocks, and Innovation Awards soon to open for nominations

IRRIGATIONNZ TECHNICIAN AND ENGINEER, A CAREER PATHWAY AND COMPETENCY PATHWAY

On-going discussions between the industry and training providers have allowed more detail to be put in place on this new training initiative being developed by IrrigationNZ and industry partners.

Training for each competency will be a mix of smaller block courses with online learning and on-the-ground training. The fundamentals of the practical aspects of the job are covered, so that an employee can ‘work the tools’ safely and knowledgeably. Much of the formal content will draw on our trans-Tasman partners in Irrigation Australia, who have a series of highly experienced trainers keen to pass on their expertise to our industry. The advantage of this approach is the common elements that exist in our two irrigation environments, along with the potential for having recognised roles and competencies across the two countries.

ONLINE WATER METER VERIFICATION TRAINING – MARCH 2022 – SIGN UP NOW!

New for 2022 is our upcoming Online Water Meter Verification training. This course is for those people completing their Water Meter Verification workbook who are looking for formal training to assist them in successfully reaching completion.

The class provides five hours of online tutoring, spaced over three weeks. You will learn about regulations, basic metering installation requirements, understanding the different verification equipment types and methods of use. You will also be taught about error and uncertainty, where it can arise, and how to manage it.

To find out more and to sign up visit the Online Water Meter Verification Training and Workbook event in the events calendar of our website: www.irrigationnz.co.nz/EventsAndTraining

To view the latest course and training dates, head to the Events and Training section of the IrrigationNZ website: www.irrigationnz.co.nz/EventsAndTraining. Alternatively contact us on email via admin@irrigationnz.co.nz.

A full course of 14 students attended the Certificate in Irrigation System Performance training held in Lincoln, Canterbury in February. The course involved a mix of in-class and online learning as well as in-the-field practical training on system performance. Course tutor Vicky Bloomer, from Drop Consulting, said “it was great to have such an interactive and enthusiastic group on the course, coming from an array of different backgrounds within the industry”. This course has been funded through the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) fees-free initiative for students. The course has been very popular and as such another course is being scheduled in May. The upcoming May course will be the last Certificate in Irrigation System Performance that will be eligible for full TTAF funding. To find out more please visit www.irrigationnz.co.nz/EventsAndTraining/Irrigators/CPA

At right: Photos from the training held in Lincoln in February. Bottom photo: Sarah Hayman (right) and Steph Wright complete the bucket testing segment of the course.

Water Availability and Security – the way forward

Capture and storage: Reliable water = reliable food

By Stephen McNally, IrrigationNZ Technical Advisor.

In October 2021 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) – Manatū Ahu Matua released the Water Availability and Security (WAS) in Aotearoa New Zealand report and a companion technical national scale assessment of the current state of water availability across New Zealand. Both documents are available to be downloaded from the MPI website at: www.mpi.govt.nz/water-availability-and-security.

These two documents were the culmination of extensive research undertaken and commissioned by the WAS team within the Agriculture & Investment Services – Tapuwae Ahuwhenua Business unit. This work was led by Mike Jebson, supported by several MPI officials and technical experts working in collaboration with a WAS Advisory Group. This group included experts in regards the food and fibre sector, Treaty, Māori agribusiness, infrastructure investment, local government, environment and irrigation, including Vanessa Winning and Stephen McNally of IrrigationNZ.

The WAS report and its accompanying data analysis is highly encouraging. It makes a clear statement on the importance of reliable water supplies for New Zealand primary sector activities and rural communities. It also provides a wakeup call concerning the emerging challenges these sectors are already facing due to declining availability and security of water caused by climate change and other factors.

For MPI the context for this work was the fundamental importance of access to freshwater for food and fibre production and processing: • to maintain, develop and expand the horticulture sector • to increase the productivity and sustainability of whenua Māori • for new product development and high value processing • to provide for a broader range of land use options and improved practises for farmers and other producers to reduce biological emissions • to adapt to climate change and enhance the resilience of rural communities.

Addressing New Zealand’s water availability and security challenges will be critical to ensuring the food and fibre sectors are at the forefront of a post-Covid export-led recovery and to lead the way to a more sustainable economy.

Continued over…