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Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Andrew Curtis.
Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Andrew Curtis says Labour's “water tax” would affect every New Zealander.
“Extra costs from a water tax will inevitably be passed on to consumers, meaning higher prices for food, wine, beer, housing and in many other industries,” he says.
“How could a water tax possibly be implemented in practice given the differences in weather and water use across the country?”
Curtis says the Labour leader’s statement lacks detail.
“So far all that's been made public from Labour is a one page statement - where's the detail about this is going to work?
“It would be a hugely complex administrative nightmare….the majority of irrigation is in the east coast areas - are these communities to be penalised because they live in an area with a drier climate that needs more irrigation?”
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern says to help set the royalty on water, in my first hundred days (as PM), she will host a roundtable on water at Parliament, with all affected sectors.
“I will not set a rate until I have met with those who will be affected; this is an issue that we must tackle together.
“Labour believes when water is exported for profit, private companies should also pay a royalty.
“Labour will work with iwi to resolve Treaty water claims in a manner that respects iwi’s mana, and restores the mauri of our rivers and lakes.
“Our river and lakes are a taonga of huge significance to Māori, a favourite place of recreation for New Zealanders. It’s time to restore them for future generations. Let’s do this,” says Ardern.
Curtis says it is interesting to see that hyrdro-electric power users are to be excluded.
“That’s hardly the fair and equitable approach Labour said it wanted to take. Energy companies are the largest extractors of water in New Zealand, barring others from using it, and many of the profits are going overseas.”
Winter grazing is looming again and the Ministry for Primary Industries says it's going to increase proactive farm visits and provide practical advice for farmers in the lead up to the season.
Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Vanessa Winning is stepping down after four years in the role.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
IrrigationNZ submitted a briefing last month to the new Government this week on how water capture, storage, and efficient use can grow economic prosperity, support New Zealand's exports, and ensure long term regional resilience. Here's part of what Vanessa Winning, chief executive of IrrigationNZ, said:
IrrigationNZ has released its election manifesto, calling for policies that secure water for growing food.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
