Tuesday, 08 April 2025 09:25

Reliable irrigation crucial to hort sector

Written by  Staff Reporters
Michelle Sands, HortNZ’s general manager for strategy and policy. Michelle Sands, HortNZ’s general manager for strategy and policy.

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says access to reliable irrigation water is essential for a thriving horticultural sector.

It says the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's decision to advance plans for a new water storage facility on the Heretaunga Plains will be great news for growers.

The council is now entering a full feasibility phase for a medium sized 27 million cubic-metre water storage facility at Whanawhana, aimed at supporting the region's people, businesses and environment.

The Heretaunga Plains, home to most of the region's population, includes Napier and Hastings. The area is a key hub for horticulture, boasting world-class soils and a climate that supports a diverse range of crops.

Horticultural crops grown on the Heretaunga Plains are critical to both export and domestic markets.

Key crops include pipfruit, summerfruit, green beans, sweet corn, squash, onions, kiwifruit, berries, potatoes, citrus, and leafy greens.

The plains are particularly vital to New Zealand's apple industry, which is valued at over $1 billion in revenue, with around 65% of production based in Hawke's Bay.

Michelle Sands, HortNZ's general manager for strategy and policy, says the announcement is welcome news for growers and households alike, as access to reliable irrigation water is essential for a thriving horticultural sector.

"The Heretaunga Plains is one of New Zealand's most important food-producing regions.

"Its soils and cliamte enable a high degree of crop diversity, but a secure and sustainable water supply is crucial to maintaining this productivity," says Sands.

HortNZ acknowledges that the underlying aquifer, which supplies of the water for horticulture, must be carefully managed to protect the health of spring-fed rivers and streams.

"The council's recognition of the need for a secure freshwater supply for growers is a significant step forward. The new water storage facility will help safeguard the industry's future, create resilience to climate change, and support continued economic growth and job creation in the region."

The Whanawhana water storage project presents an opportunity to harvest water when it is abundant and use it to access water when they need it while improving the overall health of rivers and streams.

"Growers look forward to working collaboratively on this project alongside iwi, mana whenua, and community representatives," says Sands.

More like this

Eating more fruit and veg 'helps the economy'

A new international study serves as a stark warning for New Zealanders: our health and wellbeing are in our hands, and increasing our intake of fruit and vegetables is a key step to reducing the pressure on our healthcare system.

HortNZ supports new water storage plan

Horticulture New Zealand has welcomed the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s decision to advance plans for a new water storage facility on the Heretaunga Plains.

Featured

Controls lifted at poultry farm

Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Machinery & Products

Yamaha acquires Robotics Plus

New Zealand based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation, has announced an agreement for it to be acquired…

Ecorobotix announces NZ dealership

Swiss-based Ecorobotix has announced its entry into the New Zealand market through a strategic partnership with Canterbury-based New Zealand Tractors.

Sorting unwashed potatoes made easy

Downs, a leader in potato reception, automated sorting, and storage, has introduced its new high-throughput optical sorter for unwashed potatoes…

Jumbo X saves time and money

A winner of a prestigious ‘Technical Innovations 2024’ award by FederUnacoma at the EIMA show in Italy, the Maschio Jumbo…

NH unveils specialty tractor

New Holland recently showcased its new-generation T4.120 F specialty tractor, giving New Zealand customers a closer look at the winner…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter