Irrigation
Crown Irrigation company defends spending
More than half the $14 million spent by the Crown company that finances irrigation schemes has gone on administration costs.
Fraction of water breaches blamed on faulty meters
About one in 10 serious water-consent breaches in Canterbury are being blamed on faulty water meter readings.
Water rights criticism a 'wake-up call' - ECan
ECan has had a 'wake-up call', it says, after Forest and Bird accused it of failing to act against farmers who seriously breach their water rights.
Forest and Bird slams ECan for not enforcing water rules
The Canterbury Regional Council has failed to act against farmers who have abused their water consents, Forest and Bird says. Audio
Anthea Yule... Farming is a Privilege
Anthea Yule started her farming life married to Lawrence Yule, who is now the mayor of Hastings. In the late 1980's they started farming his parent's property near the Ngaruroro River in Hawkes Bay… Audio
Ruataniwha
Greenpeace New Zealand blocking the entrance to ACC's Wellington building on Molesworth Street this morning with six tonnes of dairy sewage because of future despoliation of the environment from the… Audio
Controversial dam likely to go ahead
Enough farmers have signed up to a $900m water storage and irrigation project in Hawke's Bay for it to go ahead.
The Water of my Land
They don't agree about much, but at least they're willing to speak up. Waikari artist, writer and environmentalist Sam Mahon meets with Medbury dairy farmer Dave Hislop to discuss their different… Audio
Scientists damn water storage claims
A riled scientist is calling out claims that dams benefit the environment, as the cost of building a single Hawke's Bay water storage project balloons to $900 million.
More legal action pending over Ruataniwha Dam
Strips of land allowing public access are the latest issue in the ongoing legal battle over the proposed Ruataniwha Dam in Hawke's Bay.
Govt to put $500,000 more into Canterbury irrigation
The government is to invest a further $500,000 into an irrigation scheme in North Canterbury.
$900,000 for Flaxbourne irrigation scheme
The Ministry for Primary Industries is giving nearly $900,000 to the proposed Flaxbourne Community Irrigation Scheme in Marlborough.
Greenpeace Executive Director calls for water payment
Former Green Party co-leader turned Executive Director of Greenpeace Russel Norman joins Checkpoint to discuss water rights. Audio
NZTIA distances itself from calls for irrigation scheme ban
The tourism industry is at loggerheads over calls by one group for a five-year ban on new irrigation projects. Audio
John Key backs irrigation schemes even as dairy slides
John Key responded to the call from the tourism industry calling for a five-year ban on new irrigation schemes. Audio
Tourism industry wants 5-year ban on irrigation schemes
Tourism and environmental groups say the Government's decision to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into irrigation is a gamble, particularly in the wake of the dairy downturn. Environment reporter… Audio
Tourism industry wants 5-year ban on irrigation schemes
The Tourism Export Council wants a five-year ban on new irrigation schemes in the wake of the dairy downturn. The council's chief executive is Lesley Immink. Audio
Irrigation scheme loan approved but community group balks
A community group in Canterbury says a privately run irrigation scheme should not be getting loans from ratepayers. Audio
Heading down the Waimak
Large schools of kahawai are chasing krill in the Waimakariri River mouth in North Canterbury. The annual salmon run is about to start so it's a popular spot for local anglers. Fish and Game… Audio
Ruataniwha Dam's future still uncertain
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council's Investment Company has still not secured an institutional investor for the controversial Ruataniwha Dam.