Providing reliable, economic and sustainable supply

Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd (WIL) is a run-of-river scheme with resource consent to take water from the Waimakariri River to irrigate 23,000 hectares. It is one of the largest schemes in the South Island. Ensuring farmers actively manage irrigation to guarantee water is being used efficiently is central to the core of WIL.

Environmental stewardship is a vital part of WIL’s daily operations. The company is recognised as a leader in water management, providing access to a reliable, economic and sustainable supply.

July 10, 2025
Georgina (Georgie) Woods

On farm learning key for WIL’s new environmental advisor

WIL’s new environmental advisor Georgina (Georgie) Woods is relishing the opportunity to work closely with Waimakariri farmers on their environmental goals, while being based closer to… Read More
July 3, 2025

WIL receives $15.6M of government funding for irrigation storage ponds

Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) has received $15.6M of funding from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) for the construction of its water storage facility near Oxford which will provide a more secure supply of irrigation water for its 170 farmer shareholders. Read More
June 12, 2025
Swannanoa farmers Brian and Rosemary Whyte’s efforts to improve the environment were recognised with the 2025 WIL (Waimakariri Irrigation Limited) Shareholder Excellence Award for Environmental Stewardship.

Over 2000 seedlings planted by award-winning Swannanoa farmers

Taking positive action to improve the environment while involving the community in their planting project has proved rewarding for Swannanoa farmers Brian and Rosemary Whyte who… Read More
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Wrights Road Storage Ponds

In 2007, WIL purchased a 120-ha property at Wrights Road, Burnt Hill, North Canterbury for the purpose of constructing water storage ponds. In June 2013, WIL was granted a building consent to construct an 8.2 million m3 water storage facility. In October 2014, resource consents were issued, however, those consents were then challenged in the Environment Court – but subsequently granted in August 2020.

The storage ponds will collect excess water diverted from the Waimakariri River during periods of high river flow or low scheme demand. It is expected that bulk filling of the ponds will occur during irrigation shoulder seasons and winter months. The ponds will be refilled with water not used during the peak irrigation season in accordance with water availability and river flow restrictions.

Having stored water will improve the reliability of irrigation water for shareholders. Currently, the reliability of water provided by WIL is around 75%, whereas with storage, water reliability would be increased to approximately 92%.


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