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.

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
June 2, 2025
Cust School Year 7 and 8 students

Cust School supports WIL biodiversity project

Over 350 native plants were donated and planted by Cust School students at a Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) biodiversity project site along Hunter’s Stream near Cust… Read More
May 29, 2025

Hunter’s Stream biodiversity corridor takes shape

Creating a series of biodiversity corridors along Hunter’s Stream which improve the ecosystem and bring together farmers, students, and the community together is the goal of… 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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