Goodhew Jo: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Goodhew Jo: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 11 May 2011. Volume:672;Page:18557. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
7. 
JO GOODHEW (National—Rangitata) 
 to the  
Minister of Agriculture 
: What steps has the Government recently taken to support the development of water storage and irrigation? 
Hon DAVID CARTER (Minister of Agriculture) 
: 
 On Monday the Prime Minister announced a major package aimed at accelerating the development of sustainable water storage and irrigation infrastructure. The package has two parts: the first is a $35 million irrigation acceleration fund to support the development of irrigation proposals to an investment-ready stage; the second stage will see the Government from 2013-14 potentially investing up to $400 million of equity in the construction of regional-scale schemes on commercial terms to encourage third-party investment. This is a very significant package. It sends a strong message that this Government is serious about progressing water storage because it makes good economic and environmental sense.  
Jo Goodhew 
: What benefits does the Government expect to see from this increased support for irrigation? 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: Developing irrigation has huge potential to unlock economic growth and to get our tradable sector growing strongly again while at the same time reducing the environmental pressures on our aquifers. The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s research suggests that the package could support 340000 hectares of new irrigation boosting New Zealand’s exports by $1.4 billion over the next 7 years and by $4 billion by 2026. This is not about irrigation at any cost but it is about taking a balanced view to deliver economic growth and environmental sustainability. 
Jo Goodhew 
: What feedback has he seen on the Government’s recently announced water storage package? 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: The package has received a number of endorsements. Horticulture New Zealand for instance has said it is good news for horticulture’s long-term productivity. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has described it as “welcome news” for the region and “a valuable step” towards future economic development in the bay. The Central Otago mayor said it was “exciting” for Central Otago and “a step in the right direction”. One comment I have just noted was from Bob Engelbrecht a respected farm management consultant in south mid-Canterbury. He said: “It’s a good sign of Government support for agriculture in New Zealand. It’s just a pity for the whole of the East Coast of the South Island that this sort of project wasn’t considered 20 or 30 years ago.” 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: How will iwi co-management arrangements such as those to do with the Waikato River be impacted by the steps taken by the Government to support the development of water storage and irrigation? 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: Existing commitments will not be affected. Any irrigation schemes will of course respect and recognise the vital role of Maori. In addition the Government’s support for water storage offers an exciting economic development opportunity for iwi both as major holders of agricultural land and as investors in the schemes.