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