Water matters. It sounds obvious, but Irrigation New Zealand is making the case that New Zealand isn't managing it like it does.
This month, IrrigationNZ released a major manifesto calling for a nationally co-ordinated approach to water security, proposing four priority areas that the organisation says are essential to securing New Zealand's water future.
"Water storage and infrastructure should be treated on par with transport, hydro-energy, and communications." — Stephen McNally, Acting CE, IrrigationNZ
The four priorities are clear: national leadership and long-term water strategy, dedicated infrastructure investment, resource management reform that recognises food production, and investment in workforce capability across the freshwater sector.
The timing couldn't be more urgent. Earth Sciences NZ is flagging an unusually strong El Niño pattern developing, meaning drier summers, reduced snowmelt, and increased pressure on irrigated land across much of the South Island and east coast.
For irrigators, this is the moment to get your water measurement house in order. Accurate flow metering isn't just about compliance, it's your evidence base when water allocations get tight and water becomes a contested resource. Councils and regional authorities will look closely at measurement records when reviewing consents under pressure.
At NZ Flow Group, we're seeing increased demand for verification services ahead of the summer season. If your meter hasn't been verified recently, or if you're unsure whether your current setup meets ECan's ±5% tolerance, now is the time to act, before the queues build.