Water reservoir will boost industry and agriculture in the Wairarapa
Published: 4 July, 2025
A reservoir to be built near Carterton will be a game-changer for the town and wider Wairarapa region.
The 20ha reservoir, which will hold up to 1 million m3 – the equivalent of 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools – will provide water for industry at Waingawa Industrial Park and for irrigation of land.
Water resilience has been identified as a regional priority for Wairarapa. A lack of water security is holding back development, limiting current land-use options.
The reservoir will also be important infrastructure for Wairarapa’s resilience to extreme weather, including drought.
Carterton District Council has been granted an initial loan of up to $3 million from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund for preparatory work. A further $17 million loan will be available from the fund for construction, once a final model is confirmed. The total project cost is budgeted at $25 million, with the council contributing $5 million of co-funding.
The project will increase agriculture production on nearby land, with a 50% increase in crop yield predicted. It will also allow pastoral land to be converted to higher-value horticultural land.
The reservoir is expected to bring jobs and more economic activity to existing and new industries at Waingawa Industrial Park.
The loans will be managed by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit.