Canterbury Water Storage Boost A ‘Gamechanger’ For Farmers

Friday, 4 July 2025, 4:33 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

A $56.4m Government investment in water storage and irrigation will be ‘‘a gamechanger’’ for Canterbury farmers, the Associate Regional Development Minister says.

Minister Mark Patterson said three Canterbury water storage and irrigation projects will receive loans from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Mr Patterson made the announcement at the Taggart family’s woolshed at Cust, on a rainy Thursday morning (July 3).

The Balmoral water storage facility run by the Amuri Irrigation Company (AIC) will receive $20m, Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd (WIL) will receive $15.6, and the Opuha Dam and irrigation scheme in South Canterbury $20.8m.

Mr Patterson, who was joined by Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey, Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith and Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon, said the announcement was ‘‘a momentous day for Canterbury’’.

‘‘It strengthens water resilience and unlocks new economic opportunities.

‘‘Access to reliable manageable water is a gamechanger to our primary sector.’’

Mr Gordon said WIL's proposed 8.2 million cubic metre water storage facility at Wrights Road, near Oxford, has been in the pipeline for nearly 20 years.

‘‘WIL is not just an irrigation scheme. It is a lifeline for our region, irrigating an impressive 23,000ha and supporting around 170 shareholders.

‘‘It is one of the largest schemes in the South Island, and its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable water management is commendable.’’

Mr Gordon said WIL’s biodiversity projects had uncovered rare species like the Canterbury mudfish and tadpole shrimp, which shows investment in irrigation could have positive environmental outcomes.

WIL chief executive Brent Walton said his company’s shareholders included a mix of lifestyle blocks, and sheep, cropping and dairy farmers.

He said the $15.6m loan was the boost needed to kickstart the project.

‘‘The key thing is it benefits all types of farmers, and it is about the future of the district and the benefits we will bring to future generations.’’

Mr Walton said water storage could enhance rivers and groundwater and be used for other uses beyond irrigation.

Work on the new facility will begin next year and expected to be completed for the 2028/29 season.

AIC chairperson David Croft said his company plans to build a pond to store up to 10 million cubic metres of water and can be used in the winter and shoulder seasons, using existing resource consents.

‘‘It is quite clear the rural sector is leading the New Zealand economy, and this investment can help our economic recovery.

‘‘And we will end up with a great asset for the whole of North Canterbury.’’

The company has 132 shareholders covering 28,000ha across three water schemes, including 60 percent dairy farming, and the rest a mix of dairy support, sheep and beef, and cropping.

Opuha Water Ltd chief executive Bjorn Triplow said the investment will help fund the upgrade of the Opuha Dam.

‘‘Beyond its role in supporting sustainable farming, the dam has catalysed growth in downstream industries, delivering an annual net economic benefit of $315m to the South Canterbury region.’’

Mr Triplow said the dam also provided a safeguard in extreme weather events, such as the 2021 flood.

Enterprise North Canterbury chief executive Heather Warwick said the investment will unlock land for irrigation, boosting productivity and creating jobs.

‘‘Water is a gamechanger for our farmers. They say water is gold in farming,’’ she said.

Enterprise North Canterbury is the economic development arm of the Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils.

But Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe described the investment as ‘‘a dirty deal for dirty water’’.

‘‘It is deeply irresponsible to use public money to fund the expansion of these irrigation schemes, which will lead to more intensive dairy, more cows, and more pollution.’’

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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