I had another busy weekend with a visit from Hon. Mike Butterick, who is the Associate Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Land Information.
First stop was the Dargaville to Te Kopuru stopbank which is being strengthened and raised over 9.2km of its 11.7km length. The stopbank protects 1753 hectares of highly productive land. This work is being delivered in conjunction with the installation of the pipeline between the reservoir and Dargaville.
Next we headed to the amazing 3.3 million cubic metre Te Waihekeora reservoir at Redhill. It holds enough water to support around 1100 hectares of new horticultural development.
Then we visited the nearby Te Uri o Hau Te Tūtakitanga Orchard Development where CEO Rhys Manukau explained the genesis of the orchard which uses water from the reservoir for its fertigation system, and plans for further expansion of the site.
Following this we visited the recently opened floodgate at G Canal in the Raupo Drainage Scheme at Ruawai. This drainage scheme covers approximately 8700ha of highly fertile land. The floodgate was funded largely by central government through MBIE via the Infrastructure Reference Group.
Whilst on site we made sure to explain the importance of the proposed floodgate for K Canal, and the need for government funding to complete this essential work.
Great things are happening in western Kaipara. Central government has assisted us hugely in recent years and I am very grateful for this ongoing support.
Photo: L to R
Trevor Barfoote and Roger Wilson — Barfoote Construction, KDC Deputy Mayor Gordon Lambeth, Wayne Crump — KDC Infrastructure Officer for Land Drainage, Hon Mike Butterick, Jonathan Carswell — MPI Regional Manager for Northland, Ian Beattie — Chair of the Raupō Drainage Committee, Daniel Phillips — MPI representative, KDC Mayor Jonathan Larsen, Paul Linton — Northland NZ Chief Executive, Jeanette Johnstone — Northland NZ Horticultural Specialist Tuputupu Grow Northland.
Photo: With Minister Butterick
