Reliable irrigation crucial to hort sector
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says access to reliable irrigation water is essential for a thriving horticultural sector.
The Government this week announced it is investing a further $37.5 million into water security for Northland (read more here).
The additional funding from the Provincial Growth Fund will be used to accelerate and expand the delivery of the Northland water storage programme as part of the Government’s COVID-19 response.
IrrigationNZ says it is pleased to see Northland’s water storage being prioritised, however, other dry regions such as Hawke's Bay need similar measures.
IrrigationNZ chief executive Elizabeth Soal says accelerating the Northland water storage project would create jobs and stability following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and is a great stimulus for economic development.
“This could be replicated in other areas throughout New Zealand, and with the right environmental and planning frameworks in place, will lead to shared benefits for Iwi, the environment, the community, and the farmer,” says Soal.
“While this announcement on water storage by the Government is positive, IrrigationNZ would welcome a water strategy to guide this critical infrastructure investment into the future.”
