Andrew Curtis Chief Executive
T: 03 3793820
F: 03 372 3520
M: 027 4966314
E: acurtis@irrigationnz.co.nz
Andrew Curtis commenced in the role as chief executive of Irrigation NZ in July 2009. Andrew’s previous employment was as the strategic advisor with the Hawkes Bay Regional Council where he was responsible for ensuring the uptake of best environmental practice with the primary industry sector. His role has encompassed developing and implementing a dynamic water management framework for Hawkes Bay including investigating water storage opportunities, crop water allocation framework, water meter strategy, working with irrigation communities to establish user groups and initiating research into knowledge gaps for crop water demand requirements in New Zealand, in particular the summer-fruit, kiwifruit and grape industries.
Andrew is also an active member of the irrigation industry as the owner/operator of a small vineyard in the Hawkes Bay. In this capacity he has a strong understanding of irrigation from an on-farm perspective and has been the key driver in developing a number of industry working groups to improve communications and outcomes on behalf of farmers. The multitude of inspiring water management concepts being investigated, trialled and implemented were a major draw-card for Andrew to the INZ chief executive position.
Andrew believes win-win scenarios for economic, environmental, social and cultural water management in New Zealand are achievable. Looking at the challenges ahead he includes ownership of water, water use efficiency, demonstration of environmental performance, uniting communities and promotion of irrigation benefits to the wider community as “ongoing biggies” for INZ.