Andrew Curtis

Description

Andrew Curtis commenced in the role as chief executive of IrrigationNZ in July 2009. With over 15 years of practical experience, Andrew has a wealth of irrigation knowledge, and has been the key driver in a number of policy working groups and industry initiatives to improve communications and outcomes on behalf of farmers and growers. Prior to arriving at IrrigationNZ, Andrew was the strategic advisor with the Hawkes Bay Regional Council responsible for ensuring the uptake of best environmental practice with the primary industry sector.

Andrew believes win-win water management scenarios, for both the economy and environment, are achievable in New Zealand. Looking at the challenges ahead he includes water use efficiency (implementation and uptake of SMART Irrigation), demonstration of environmental performance, uniting communities and promotion of irrigation benefits to the wider community as “ongoing biggies” for IrrigationNZ.