Heretaunga Sustainable Water
A unified voice for irrigators and water users on the Heretaunga Plains
Background
There is a great deal of uncertainty around the allocation of water for irrigation and industrial use. While there is a general consensus that water is over-allocated, no agreement has been reached on a new allocation model. In fact, this will probably not be decided until late 2026 via an Environment Court hearing.In the interim, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) has implemented an “actual and reasonable” model and this has been communicated to growers. For many, “actual and reasonable” is a substantial reduction in water allocation and has a profound effect on their ability to carry out normal operations. It is against this backdrop that a number of the region’s growers and industrial users met, at the end of 2024, to look for a better way. One of the first initiatives of the group was to promote the formation of a water users collective – Heretaunga Sustainable Water (HSW).HSW held its first meeting on 8 May 2025 in the Havelock North Function Centre. It was a watershed moment for growers and industrial users, with over 300 in attendance. The audience received presentations from HSW’s founding members and there was strong support for what was being said and for the need for an advocacy body to act on water users behalf. Meanwhile HBRC has listened and paused* implementation of the “actual and reasonable” water allocation model until an alternative has either been agreed, or imposed.* except for those that want to sign up to the “actual and reasonable” model
Water storage and other options
- In 2023, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) released its Regional Water Assessment – a significant piece of research which assessed water availability now, and in the future. A key feature was a prediction that the region would likely face a 25 Million m3 shortfall in water by 2040 if action is not taken. Total current use is 90 Million m3 and irrigation and industrial use accounts for 77% of this.
- Initiatives are being undertaken now, in anticipation of this shortfall. The most substantial of which is the Whanawhana storage dam – a reservoir that can store up to 27 Million m3 of winter water, for release into the Ngaruroro river, in summer. This project is the subject of substantial feasibility work. It is expected this work will be complete at the end of 2026. HSW is closely monitoring this project.
- A number of other potential supply/demand “levers” are being investigated including:
- • Facilitating greater aquifer re-charge, especially in the Roy’s Hill area of the Ngaruroro river.
- • Measures to increase water efficiency across users.
- • Tukituki water storage. Although this project primarily targets the irrigation and municipal needs of Central Hawke’s Bay, it has the potential to deliver 20 Million m3 to the lower reaches of the Tukituki river.
- • Enhancement of key waterways across the Heretaunga plains.
- • Recycling of industrial water.
TANK
TANK is an acronym for the main water catchment areas on the Heretaunga Plains being Tutaekuri, Ahuriri, Ngaruroro and KaramuThe TANK plan change was developed following extensive community consultation. Its objective was to bring about new objectives, policies and rules to apply to the use of land and waterways in the TANK catchments. The impetus for the plan change was a recognition that water was over-allocated.It is the view of many water users that the water allocation model that evolved out of the TANK process – “actual and reasonable” – is not reasonable. Although the TANK process has evolved over several years, no agreeable solution has been found. A key objective of HSW is to be an influential party in arriving at a solution that meets the needs of water users and the environment. In other words a sustainable solution. If the various parties are not able to reach a solution, it is likely one will be forced on them by the Environment Court.
We Exist To
Provide a collective voice to advocate for irrigators and water users
Implement a 100 year vision for sustainable water use.
Provide expert advice in determining a sustainable allocation model for water users
Who Are We
HSW is an Incorporated Society.
Interim Committee
Chair - Greig Taylor
Executive Administrator - AgFirst Consultants HB Ltd
Treasurer - Adapt Accounting
Jerf van Beek
John Bostock
Charlotte DruryXan Harding
Ivan KnaufJock Mackintosh
Funding
HSW is fortunate to have received $150,000 in roughly equal portions from its founders, Horticulture NZ and the NZ Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust. This is important seed funding and sets HSW up to undertake the work required to meet its objectives.Longer term HSW recognises that its members are the main users of water in the Heretaunga Plains and therefore are going to be a significant influencer and funder of initiatives that underwrite water security.
Draft Strategy
- To download please click HERE
Join HSW Let's Work Together!
The best thing you can do is join HSW.
You can do this by scanning the QR Code or CLICK HERE
