IrrigationNZ Advocacy
Irrigation is a key enabler for growing food, in particular grains, crops, fruit and vegetables consumed in New Zealand. To grow food and keep costs under control we need better water capture, storage and resilience around use.
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Our priorities are to engage with regional and central government to influence policy development. We meet regularly with Government Ministers, ministries and Primary Industry spokespeople across the political spectrum. We engage with farmer, grower and industry organisations to ensure we support their advocacy and that we have a collective voice for the primary sector.
IrrigationNZ focuses its advocacy work at the national level. IrrigationNZ also gets involved in the regions when the issue is precedent-setting for irrigation.
IrrigationNZ Submission Schedule - Updated 3/11/2023
Organisation | Consultation Type/Name | Date Completed/Due Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taumata Arowai | Small drinking water supplier acceptable solution. | Ongoing 2023 | Active engagement on acceptable solutions monitoring methods |
| Department of Internal Affairs Rural Sector Water Forum | Consultation on the Water Services Bill | Ongoing 2023 | Active engagement on newly established advisory group |
| Ministry for the Environment (MfE) | Proposed amendments to the RMA to introduce NBA | Before Parliament as draft plus SOP | On-going collaboration across primary sector groups and MfE. |
Ministry for the Environment (MfE) | NES Drinking Water | 25 March 2022 | Modified NES engagement on redrafted version taking account of feedback July 2023 |
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment | Te Ara Paerangi- Future Pathways | White paper Dec 2022 | Initially active engagement with MBIE and primary sector group at strategic level on-going |
| Ministry for the Environment (MfE) | Freshwater Farm Plans Active Collaborators group | Received revised regulations for review prior to release with modifications following feedback | On-going collaboration, now at implementation level |
| Te Waihanga NZ Infrastructure Comission | National Adaptation Plan | On going | Active engagement on going including new consultation from DPMC on infrastructure resilience |
| Ministry for Primary Industries | National Organic Standard | Submission on matter relating to best practice in irrigation management | Completed April 2023, on going engagement |
| Mistry for the Environment | National Objectives Framework | April 2023 | Submitted feedback on guidance documents |
| Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation | Submitted feedback on legislation under organic | April 2023 | Completed |
| Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Renewing Regional Policy Statement | Feedback and consultation beginning in 2023 | Consulation Underway |
| Northland Regional Council | Regional Water and Soil plan changes | Submissions opening early 2023 | Awaiting consultation framework |
| Otago Regional Council | Updating Land and Water Regional Plan | Opening for submissions late 2023 | Awaiting consultation framework, including meetings with IrrigationNZ Board and ORC Councillors |
| Environment Canterbury
| Regional Policy Statement | Late 2023 | On going active engagement |
| Horizons Regional Council
| Manawatū-Whanganui Region, the One Plan | Late 2023 | On going active engagement |
| Stats NZ | Agricultural Production Survey 2024 | Due 18th August 2023 | Completed |
Ministry for the Environment | Submission on potential amendments to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL) | Due October 2023 | Completed |
Ministry for the Environment | Submission to assist the proposed inquiry into community-led retreat and adaptation funding | Due November 2023 | Completed |