Friday, March 29, 2024

IrrigationNZ primed to deliver for sector

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For the first time in three years Irrigation New Zealand has ended the financial year in the black.
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IrrigationNZ chair Vanessa Winning says the organisation has a key role to play in shaping the way forward for New Zealand.

For the first time in three years Irrigation New Zealand has ended the financial year in the black.

At the organisation’s annual meeting via Zoom last week it was reported the business has made great strides in the past 12 months, with plans to deliver more in 2022.

Chief executive Vanessa Winning says she is proud of her team’s performance and is looking forward to continuing the good work into 2022.

“I joined IrrigationNZ just before last year’s annual meeting, we had just completed a restructure, decided to move the head office to Wellington, and were close to another annual loss,” Winning said.

“It was a challenge that the board was very upfront and honest about.

“Over this past year, despite no conference and other covid related issues, we have managed to turn this around and in just eight months we reached surplus and have grown our base. 

“This will enable us to deliver even more for our members.”

IrrigationNZ also increased its focus on informing and shaping regulation that will impact the primary sector, which saw the move of the organisation’s headquarters from Christchurch to Wellington to get closer to government decision-makers. 

“Policy change is coming thick and fast, and we know it is overwhelming to many. 

“We’re pushing hard to gain policy concessions that work for our members and have been successful on a number of occasions. 

“Our biggest successes have been from working with the policy implementation teams and working through more practical implementation programmes.

IrrigationNZ has lodged five submissions to policy changes in the past year including the Water Services Bill, Dam Safety Implementation Act, Climate Change Response Amendment Act, Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) and earlier draft legislation on Farm Environment Plans.

“I’m particularly proud of the recent publishing of the Water Availability and Security (WAS) work which we have been working with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on. 

“It is a step in the right direction for finally creating a strategy for productive community and recreational use of water, which is long overdue,” Winning said.

IrrigationNZ chair Keri Johnston is excited by the revitalised focus of the organisation and is confident it is going from strength to strength. 

“Our updated strategy is one of an organisation that is reinvigorated, future-focused and clear about who we are, what we do, and why we exist,” Johnston said. 

“We have a permanent home now in Wellington, which is perfect for us, and the team is happy and settled here.”  

The organisation has increased its presence in government working and advisory groups on the big issues affecting the primary sectors. 

Winning says IrrigationNZ has a key role to play in shaping the way forward for NZ.

“Without water we don’t have choices, it’s as simple as no water – no food.

“Access to reliable water is going to be essential for addressing environmental and climate outcomes. 

“IrrigationNZ will continue to emphasise the need for an overarching water strategy for NZ so that we can identify better strategic outcomes, build resilience for our rural communities, and recognise our potential as a nation,” Winning said.

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