Fresh thinking on water and land.
Discover the latest research, analysis and perspectives from our scientists and specialists on the systems, challenges and decisions shaping water.
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ENSO and New Zealand water resources
El Niño and La Niña represent the two extremes of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a naturally occurring fluctuation in Pacific Ocean Sea‑surface temperatures that typically operates on a three‑to‑seven‑year cycle.
The importance of irrigation performance checks.
Performance checks are also important to meet Farm Environment Plan requirements associated with your property land use consent, you need to demonstrate that your irrigation system is designed and operating efficiently.
Far from an average irrigation season
The 2025-26 irrigation season has shown us once again that there’s no such thing as an average when it comes to describing the climate factors that drive irrigation demand and supply.
Do your effluent ponds leak? How do you know?
Most dairy effluent storage pond owners believe that their ponds are not leaking, particularly those that have been synthetically lined.
Measuring Water to Manage it Well
From September 2026, all water takes greater than 5 litres per second will need to be measured and recorded every 15 minutes, and the data telemetered directly to the Regional Council.
Renewing Your Resource Consent
The article I wrote for the last Canterbury Farming publication generated much interest and feedback.
Renewing Consents
The end of 2025 brought news of a huge amount of proposed change in the resource management space – too much to cover in one article.
A New Chapter for Farming Resource Consents
The major overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA) introduces two replacement laws: the Planning Bill, focused on enabling development and land use, and the Natural Environment Bill, dealing with environmental protection and management.
Understanding Source Water Risk Management Areas (Drinking Water Supply Protection Zones) and What They Mean for Rural Landowners
Source Water Risk Management Areas (SWRMAs) are becoming an increasingly important part of New Zealand’s drinking water safety framework, and for rural communities in particular, they can have real and lasting impacts on how land is used.