September 19th, 2024
The government marked a significant milestone in its efforts to enhance water security and bolster regional business and climate resilience with the opening of the Matawii reservoir. This inaugural water security project is one of the three that the government, through a $68 million investment, is supporting in Northland, as announced by Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan.
The Tai Tokerau Water Trust is developing the reservoir along with two other water storage and distribution projects in Kaipara and the Mid North. Minister Allan expressed her optimism about the projects, highlighting their transformative potential for the region's horticulture sector.
“The water storage projects will pump new life into these districts. As a result of the flood-and-drought cycle in Te Tai Tokerau, there needed to be a reliable water source to unlock the potential of the region’s land, which has rich soils and an incredible climate for horticulture,” she said.
The Matawii reservoir, when filled to its capacity of 750,000 cubic metres of water – equivalent to 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools – is anticipated to facilitate the region's transition towards higher value horticulture crops and amplify its climate resilience.
Acknowledging the potential climatic challenges, the minister underlined the significance of planning for more frequent droughts and variable rainfall to ensure sustainable community development. She also stressed the role of water in the equitable, sustainable and productive growth of regional economies.
“The site was once a dairy farm and in just a few years, despite the Pandemic, the project transformed the land from paddocks to water,” Allan remarked, emphasising the landmark nature of the project approved through the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track consenting) Act.
The Ngawha-based reservoir will be a primary water supply source to horticulture sites and the Ngawha Innovation and Enterprise Park, in addition to providing a backup water supply for Kaikohe.
Minister Allan noted that "Our investment in Kaikohe has been about unlocking and enabling each of these assets so that together they can help this region thrive."