IrrigationNZ e-news update
SMART IRRIGATOR Edition No. 47, August 2018

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An update from our Board

Our strategy refresh work is continuing and we are now inviting you to share your thoughts on a draft strategy for the next 5 years.

New Zealand is world leader in terms of many of our irrigation practices and the strategy looks at how we can build on this aim, share our message more widely and build knowledge and capacity to keep improving irrigation practices.

We also had a positive meeting with Damien O’Connor recently where he provided some good feedback on our draft strategy. We will be working with the government to achieve a number of common objectives. More information is included below on this.

We have a series of upcoming meetings on the strategy as well as the opportunity to comment online. We look forward to hearing your views. 

Nicky Hyslop, INZ Chair

Strategy Consultation Meetings 

Upcoming consultation meetings on a revised strategy to guide IrrigationNZ over the next five years will be held at the locations below. We invite all members to attend.

  • Wednesday 8 August, 10am-12pm, Lincoln, the Flaming Rabbit
  • Thursday 9 August, 1pm-3pm, Hotel Ashburton
  • Monday 13 August, 1pm-3pm, Alexandra, Community House

There will also be an irrigation service industry meeting at Thursday 9 August from 3pm - 5pm at Hotel Ashburton.

You can also read the draft strategy and give us your feedback through a short online survey.

INZ meets with Agriculture Minister 

IrrigationNZ Chair Nicky Hyslop, Board Member Keri Johnston and Chief Executive met with Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor recently.

The meeting discussed IrrigationNZ’s strategy refresh and future priorities for both IrrigationNZ and the Minister.The Minister was supportive of IrrigationNZ’s draft strategy and our actions to encourage the uptake of good irrigation practice.

The Minister explained that the Primary Sector Council will play a key role in setting government policy towards agriculture in the future. IrrigationNZ will be seeking to meet with the Council in the future. We also invited the Minister to attend a future scheme forum and he is keen to meet our scheme members. 

Upskill your staff for the irrigation season!

We have upcoming Irrigation Operator and Manager training days in September at Ashburton and Lincoln and in October in Cromwell, and Irrigation Fundamentals Training in late August at Taupo and Lincoln

The Fundamentals Training is for people who interact with irrigators and it is designed to help you better understand your customer’s needs. It provides an overview of the irrigation industry, irrigation systems, regulations and common problems and issues affecting irrigation systems and irrigators.

Last chance to join our Nebraska Tour 

IrrigationNZ will be hosting a study tour of Nebraska in mid September. The tour will look at water management, new irrigation technologies, fertigation, and visit the Husker Harvest Days, research stations and some trial farms. We’ve had strong interest in the tour from members and have a couple of spots still available to join the tour. Please contact Andrew acurtis@irrigationnz.co.nz by this Friday if you’re interested in joining the tour. 

What's store for the future of irrigation?

Do we need to change our water allocation system, will putting a tax on bottled water trigger Maori property rights and what does the future of irrigation look like are some of the issues debated at our national Conference.

If you missed the debate, you can read our panellists comments or view the full debate online

In the news 

Mega water scheme gets consent
Water secured for aquifer recharge in Ashburton
'Third world' water provisions may be introduced if Waimea dam plan canned
Rights to fresh water to be discussed with iwi

Twitter: Inside the minds of sheep

Irrigation Operator & Manager Training - 6 September, Ashburton 

Irrigation Operator & Manager Training - 27 September, Lincoln

Irrigation Operator & Manager Training - 9 October, Cromwell

Irrigation Fundamentals Training - 29 August, Lincoln 

Irrigation Fundamentals Training - 30 August, Taupo 

 

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