News Release
1 December 2004
Mackenzie Water Agreement Honours Promise
An historic agreement over water allocation between Mackenzie Basin farmers and Meridian Energy is set to bring new
opportunities to one of New Zealand’s largest areas of farmland.
More than three decades after the area’s water resource was developed for hydro generation, and after two months of
intensive negotiations, representatives of the Mackenzie Basin farming community have struck a deal with Meridian Energy
that will see 150 million cubic metres of water provided to up to 60 farms and stations for irrigation. This amount is
in addition to the existing consents held by a few farmers.
Mackenzie Basin farmers have spearheaded a campaign to see the water promised to the community by the Government, as
part of the hydro development in the late 1960’s, delivered. The farmers say Meridian Energy and farmer representatives
have agreed how much water they’ll get and when it will be available. The deal will now go to the farmers for sign-off.
Local farmer Denis Fastier said the Basin is a vast area of New Zealand farmland that has had to withstand extremely dry
conditions. This water will not only make farming more manageable, but it will also protect this fragile environment.
He said it was a credit to the strength of the Mackenzie Basin community that they had fought so hard to ensure the
historic water commitment to them was honoured.
“This agreement will mean irrigation water for approximately 25,000 hectares of farmland. It’s an agreement about
honouring a promise, which the Government made to us when the Waitaki Power Scheme was developed. Meridian Energy is to
be congratulated for honouring the spirit of that promise through this agreement.”
Mr Fastier said the agreement, when combined with the recently confirmed North Otago Irrigation scheme, meant the wider
region was poised for substantial economic and social growth. “As farmers, we also recognise the economic potential that
irrigation holds for our South Canterbury and Waimate neighbours, and trust that a solution can be found for their
needs. In particular, I am heartened by Meridian’s statements that they support irrigation in South Canterbury, and
would like to work with that community to investigate the options.”
A detailed information pack on the agreement will shortly be presented to farmers. The final details of the agreement
with Meridian Energy are still to be finalised and will be subject to the final approval of Mackenzie Basin farmers.
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