HortNZ welcomes plan for a new water storage facility for the Heretaunga Plains

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has welcomed the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s decision to advance plans for a new water storage facility on the Heretaunga Plains.

The council is now entering a full feasibility phase for a medium-sized 27-million-cubic-metre water storage facility at Whanawhana, aimed at supporting the region’s people, businesses, and environment.

The Heretaunga Plains, home to most of the region’s population, includes Napier and Hastings. The area is a key hub for horticulture, boasting world-class soils and a climate that supports a diverse range of crops.

Michelle Sands, HortNZ’s general manager for strategy and policy, says the announcement is welcome news for growers and households alike, as access to reliable irrigation water is essential for a thriving horticultural sector.

“The Heretaunga Plains is one of New Zealand’s most important food-producing regions. Its soils and climate enable a high degree of crop diversity, but a secure and sustainable water supply is crucial to maintaining this productivity,” says Sands.

“HortNZ acknowledges that the underlying aquifer, which supplies much of the water for horticulture, must be carefully managed to protect the health of spring-fed rivers and streams.

“The council’s recognition of the need for a secure freshwater supply for growers is a significant step forward. The new water storage facility will help safeguard the industry’s future, create resilience to climate change, and support continued economic growth and job creation in the region.”

The Whanawhana water storage project presents an opportunity to harvest water when it is abundant and use it to replenish rivers and the aquifer. This will allow growers to access water when they need it while improving the overall health of rivers and streams.

“Growers look forward to working collaboratively on this project alongside iwi, mana whenua, and community representatives,” says Sands.

Horticultural crops grown on the Heretaunga Plains are critical to both export and domestic markets.

Key crops include pipfruit, summerfruit, green beans, sweet corn, squash, onions, kiwifruit, berries, potatoes, citrus, and leafy greens.

The plains are particularly vital to New Zealand’s apple industry, which is valued at over $1 billion in revenue, with around 65 per cent of production based in Hawke’s Bay.