Words supplied by Stephen McNally, IrrigationNZ Principal Technical Advisor
As the rural communities of New Zealand grapple with the challenges posed by extreme weather events and shifting climate patterns, the call for climate adaptation is growing louder.
In the past year alone, we have witnessed the fury of floods, the wrath of storms, and the looming threat of drought conditions. But amidst these trials, our rural communities are actively planning and implementing change practices that promise a better future. At the heart of this transformation for members of IrrigationNZ lies freshwater management and irrigation practices, marking a positive shift in the way we approach these critical aspects of rural life.
Over the last couple of decades, New Zealand’s rural sector has seen significant changes in the policies and regulations but also practices associated with the management of water resources. Codes of Practice, guidelines, and standards have been introduced to establish consistent policies on freshwater management, with a clear emphasis on the efficiency of irrigation systems. While we acknowledge that we still have a journey ahead to strike the right balance, the direction we are heading in is undeniably positive.
The education of our rural communities, through general awareness programs and specialised training initiatives, has empowered farmers to embrace best practices. Irrigated farmers and growers are increasingly recognising the significance of managing their soils, utilising efficient irrigation methods, and making crop management decisions that align with the evolving local conditions.
Evaluating the impact of these changes necessitates robust data collection and analysis, enabling us to monitor the effects of these good practices on water use efficiency. However, some environmental indicators of improvement may take time to manifest within the complex biological and geophysical systems we operate in. Yet, one indicator that is immediately apparent is the shift in behaviour and active participation among farmers and stakeholders in programs, which is becoming more prevalent and a relevant measure of success.
In this era of uncertainty, the principle of active participation is finding widespread acceptance in various facets of community decision-making. This approach is particularly visible when contemplating locally focused environmental restoration projects as well as the other end of the spectrum with large-scale infrastructure developments, such as water storage and distribution. Both these activities can be viable solutions to address the pressing need for long-term water availability and security in our primary production regions. Active participation principles promote inclusivity, early engagement, transparency, effective participation, and setting common objectives in agreements; all this fosters a collaborative approach to decision-making.
To navigate the evolving climatic and economic landscape effectively, we must adopt adaptive management practices that include continuous feedback loops, allowing for policy reviews and practice refinement. Historically, there has been a delay between central policy development and regional implementation and end users practice changes. For instance, Regional Councils are still working on policy changes and natural resource plans triggered by central government policies dating back to 2014 and even earlier. This lag does not aid rural communities in responding proactively to climate challenges.
The pace of change required by global consumers is rapidly increasing driven by market transparency. Therefore, adapting to change must strike a balance between climate adaptation, market demands, and the practical realities of seasonally controlled rural businesses, ensuring societal and economic resilience.
Crucially, effecting change in rural climate adaptation requires empowerment, education, and incentivisation rather than relying solely on directives and penalties. Legislative documents governing land and water use, often drafted to meet legal precedents, tend to focus on those slow to change. They incorporate fees and fines for non-compliance but rarely acknowledge or reward those ahead of the curve. Empowering rural communities with knowledge and tools to make informed decisions remains pivotal. It not only leads to more efficient resource utilisation but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the long-term well-being of our communities.
Incentivisation, through economic growth and reduced compliance intervention, can motivate stakeholders to voluntarily adopt good water management practices, aligning individual and community interests with broader environmental and climate goals. This approach ensures a higher degree of ownership of outcomes.
Organisations like IrrigationNZ play a pivotal role in supporting these positive pathways by offering resources, training, and expertise to empower farmers and rural communities.
They advocate for incentivisation over punitive measures, encouraging consideration of change in practices among stakeholders. This approach leads to a more inclusive, positive, and enduring transformation in rural sector climate adaptation, enhancing outcomes and long-term sustainability.
IrrigationNZ is a national membership organisation that looks after the interests of irrigating farmers, growers, and the industry professionals that service them. We actively engage with our members and other stakeholders in the delivery of irrigation best practices and helping shape policy. We facilitate the adoption of best practices in irrigation and water management through a world-class resource base of knowledge and effective communication.
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