This work has led us to where we are currently constructing and gaining all other necessary consents required to proceed with the schemes. In the Mid North, the 750,000m³ Matawii reservoir, near Kaikohe, was the first to be granted consent and plans are for construction there to start in spring 2021. Matawii would supply the newly created Ngawha Innovation and Enterprise park, other nearby horticultural developments, as well as provide a potential back up supply to Kaikohe. A second reservoir, Otawere, has been referred for consideration under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020. Otawere is located in Waimate North and would hold around 4 million m3. The Trust is also looking at two other potential reservoir sites in the Mid North area.
In the Kaipara, construction of a reservoir called Te Waihekeora is currently underway and being built in two stages. Stage One is expected to hold around 270,000 m3 and be operational before the end of 2021. Consent applications to construct Stage Two have been filed with Kaipara District Council and will see the reservoir enlarged to 3.2 million m³ as demand for water increases. Orchardists are already preparing horticultural developments adjacent to Te Waihekeora in anticipation of water becoming available.
The schemes will be developed in response to demand and as consents are gained.
Construction of the access road to the Matawii reservoir in the Mid North complete.
The Trust has received $68m from Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit to complete the first stage of the project. Of this, $8.5m is in the form of a grant, the rest is a loan. The next stage of development, which will see the schemes in both regions enlarged, would be funded by the successful implementation of stage one.
A study of the potential economic impact of the proposed Mid North scheme could create up to 440 new jobs and lift the value of output in the by $178m. The Kaipara scheme could create up to 437 new jobs and lift the value of output in the region by $220m.
