increase font size
Ian McIndoe (left) and Dan Bloomer.
Two long-serving IrrigationNZ board members will stand down at next month's IrrigationNZ AGM.
The board members, Ian McIndoe and Dan Bloomer, have contributed more than 15 years' service to IrrigationNZ.
Bloomer worked as a board member and workshop trainer with IrrigationNZ. He is Principal of Hawke's Bay based Page Bloomer Associates and Director of the Centre for Land and Water in Hastings.
Bloomer helped developed IrrigationNZ's Code of Practice for Irrigation Performance Assessments and resources that support the Irrigation Manager and Operator training workshops.
He has a governance role with Precision Agriculture New Zealand and will continue to be involved with IrrigationNZ in the training space.
IrrigationNZ says McIndoe brought industry expertise to the IrrigationNZ board with his many roles in the irrigation industry, including his current position as Aqualinc's managing director.
McIndoe had a significant input into the development of the IRRICAD irrigation design program and was the primary author of The Irrigation Guide, The Irrigation Manual, and IrrigationNZ's Irrigation Design Code of Practice and Standards.
Joining the board is Keri Johnston, a working engineer, principal of Irricon Resource Solutions and farmer from South Canterbury.
Johnston says she feels it's time for her to contribute more publicly to the debate around how we best manage our water resources.
New Zealand's food and fibre sector is entering a period of significant transition and Irricon's refreshed brand reflects how both the business and the sector it supports have evolved, says director Keri Johnston.
Irrigation NZ is warning that the government's Resource Management Act (RMA) reform risks falling short of its objectives unless water use for food production and water storage infrastructure are clearly recognised in the goals at the top of the new system.
Moves are afoot to get a team of Australians over here to help repair North Canterbury's irrigation machinery, ravaged by the big windstorm of late October.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says access to reliable irrigation water is essential for a thriving horticultural sector.
A 100-year-old Canadian irrigation district has taken inspiration from Canterbury irrigation company Central Plains Water's success in converting from an open race irrigation system to a gravity-fed piped system.
Wool Impact and ASB have signed a new partnership with the bank set to provide financial backing to support the revitalisation of New Zealand's strong wool industry.
OPINION: Farmers have been clear: it is getting harder, not easier, to find and keep good people.
Last week marked New Zealand Sign Language Week and a South Canterbury tanker operator is sharing what it's like to be deaf in a busy Fonterra depot.
As fuel and fertiliser prices rise and with uncertainty in the future, farmers are being urged to go over their budgets with a fine-tooth comb.
Federated Farmers says reforms of local government announced last week will be music to farmers' ears.
Hinehou Timutimu, the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, says she feels privileged to have won the award.
