Irrigation New Zealand Inc

Irrigation needs the right focus in New Zealand. It’s not a one size fits all situation and requires better understanding.

Stephen offers a grounded perspective in this article in Canterbury Farmer. Page40.

https://issuu.com/canterburyfarming5/docs/canterbury_farming_august_2026

Water storage, resilience and long-term water security are becoming increasingly prominent issues ahead of the General Election.

Irrigation New Zealand has spent many years working on behalf of our members to build understanding of why a more coordinated national approach to water is so important.

While there are some points in this article we might debate, it is worth a read:
https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/07/21/nz-first-vows-to-leapfrog-govt-to-build-bigger-irrigation-dams-faster/

We look forward to continuing to contribute constructively to this important conversation.

New Zealand’s approach to water must ultimately extend beyond politics and become an enduring national priority.

NZ First vows to leapfrog Govt to build bigger irrigation dams, faster "It'd be really easy to give up." As environmentalists warn against "zombie projects", frustrated rural developers back a NZ First plan to slash red tape.

Put your feet up and check out Country-wide’s chat with chair Andrew Mockford. Calling for a more coordinated approach to water in New Zealand.

https://youtu.be/4Opyyb9K7C8?si=iSPNHScZw_Pi4M0S

Or if you’d prefer a quiet read, scan the Country-Wide article. https://country-wide.co.nz/what-is-irrigationnz-looking-for-from-the-next-government/

💧But wait - there’s more!

You can listen to a podcast as well.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KkxEk3kBU1kEurLRRzJG8?si=zKBj1l02SMWX3T-5GrAL9g

Andrew Mockford - What IrrigationNZ is looking for from the next government This episode features Andrew Mockford, Chair, Irrigation NZ discuss...

Water is one of New Zealand’s greatest strengths.

Yet too often, we plan for water in a fragmented way rather than taking a long- term, coordinated approach.

Our 2026 manifesto has now launched. In it, we call for a stronger national focus on water resilience and infrastructure investment.

Our priorities include:
💧A national Water Strategy and Minister for Water
💧 Investment in water storage and distribution infrastructure
💧Policy settings that reflect water variability, not scarcity
💧Building the workforce and capability needed to support New Zealand’s water future

Water supports food production, thriving communities, environmental outcomes and economic resilience.

Let’s start addressing water as the strategic advantage it is.

Water. For Food. For Communities. For Life.

Read the manifesto https://www.irrigationnz.co.nz/ModularPage?Action=View&ModularPage_id=66

A Saturday share - a good listen over coffee if you missed it earlier.

Irrigation isn’t just about the upfront price. After 40 years in the industry, Stephen McNally of Irrigation New Zealand Inc stresses long-term thinking: the cheapest system on paper can become the most expensive to run.

Design choices – pipe size, pump selection, pressure, and flow, set costs for decades. Skilled designers and whole-of-life costing secure efficiency, lower energy use, and lasting profitability.

What seems cheap today can cost dearly tomorrow. Plan wisely to protect farm performance for the next 20 years.
Read more in CountryWide Autumn.
https://bit.ly/4d05ZQ3

Great to see this progress for Hawkes Bay - well done to Mike Peterson and others involved with the TukiTuki Water Security project.

Great to see 3 new awards at PINZ Summit this year - Primary Industries New Zealand. Check out the post below if not already seen.

Note too that nominations close in just a few weeks so nominate now!

More detail here

2026: 3 new award categories - all open for entries, nominations Celebrate the success of those working and contributing to the New Zealand primary industries sector! Enter yourself, your team or nominate a peer for one (or more!) of the award categories.

IrrigationNZ has made a submission on the Government’s “Simplifying Local Government” proposal.

Our message is simple.

New Zealand is already in the middle of major Resource Management Reform. Introducing another large structural reform at the same time creates real risks for implementation.

Council teams are working within complex and changing systems. Their experience will be vital as RM Reform is implemented - which is why stability matters right now.
Let's get RM Reform right first - and carefully sequence any Local Government reform from there.

If reform does proceed, it will need broad and enduring support so it provides lasting certainty for communities and long-term infrastructure planning.

Read our full submission to learn more. https://www.irrigationnz.co.nz/Attachment?Action=Download&Attachment_id=972

A big moment for water in New Zealand. 💧

This week the National Infrastructure Plan was released by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission - and drum roll please… irrigation is in it.

For the first time, irrigation is recognised as a national infrastructure class within a 30-year framework.

That’s not just technical language. It’s a shift in mindset and a move in the right direction.

Irrigated Water systems are now being recognised alongside transport and energy as long-lived, essential infrastructure.

Because water underpins:
🌱 The food and fibre we produce
🏘️ The resilience of our regions
📈 The strength of our economy

New Zealand isn’t short of water - but we do face variability. Recognising water storage and distribution as national infrastructure gives us better tools to manage that variability responsibly, within environmental limits.

This milestone reflects years of engagement by IrrigationNZ and our members and it strengthens the case we’ve made through Resource Management Reform.

We’re proud to see irrigation firmly positioned in New Zealand’s long-term infrastructure thinking.

Now let’s build on it.