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.

April 21, 2025

Award winning couple building rural-urban connections

Oxford farmers Geoff and Rochelle Spark recently won the Cooperative Spirit Award at Waimakariri Irrigation’s (WIL’s) 2025 Shareholder Excellence Awards for their ongoing efforts to foster… Read More
April 21, 2025

Biodiversity event creates stronger connections

Closer connections were made between local government, environmental groups, farm industry groups and WIL during a biodiversity site visit event to WIL’s Waimakariri Biodiversity Project on… Read More
March 19, 2025
Rochelle & Geoff

Awards recognise outstanding Waimakariri farmers

Waimakariri farmers who have excelled in environmental stewardship, technological innovation and cooperative spirit were recognised at the inaugural Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) Shareholder Excellence Awards held… 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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