A secure future through improved water management

Waimea Irrigators Limited was formed with the purpose of establishing, in conjunction with Tasman District Council, Nelson City Council and other stakeholders, a long-term solution to the region’s water shortages.

We are passionate about supporting water users, big and small, on the Waimea Plains and surrounding areas. We know that having access to the right amount of water at the right time is essential to grow our local economy, and provide jobs and opportunities for future generations.


Waimea Irrigators Limited is a significant partner in the development of the Waimea Community Dam which is to be owned and operated by Waimea Water Limited. Waimea Water Limited is to be formed as a council controlled organisation, with both Waimea Irrigators Limited and Tasman District Council as shareholders. Waimea Irrigators Limited's contribution to the construction costs of the Waimea Community Dam is likely to be around $38.6 million. Part of this money will come from direct investor equity (i.e. water users purchasing Water Shares) and up to $25 million will come from a loan from Crown Irrigation Investments Limited, which will go straight to Waimea Water Limited.

Water users who purchase Water Shares in Waimea Irrigators Limited are providing equity funding for Waimea Irrigators Limited to fund its interest in Waimea Water Limited. The key benefits for water users who hold Water Shares in Waimea Irrigators Limited are as follows.

  • On entering into a Shareholder Water Augmentation Agreement with Waimea Irrigators Limited, the water user will be able to apply to Tasman District Council to affiliate their existing water permit under the Tasman Resource Management Plan; an affiliated permit will greatly improve the reliability of water available from existing groundwater sources;

  • On holding an affiliated permit, the water user will be able to expect a secure supply of water for irrigation and other purposes except in periods of extreme drought.

The Waimea Community Dam will be a community asset providing water for irrigators, an expanding urban population and improvement in the Waimea River environment.

The Offer for Water Shares in Waimea Irrigators Limited is now open. A Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the Offer is available here. The PDS contains detailed project and investment information. WIL encourages you to review this information with your legal and financial advisors.

A supplementary document to the PDS dated 2 February 2018 was lodged on 1 March 2018. This supplementary document can be downloaded here and is also available on the New Zealand Companies Office website www.disclose-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz.

Waimea Irrigators Limited is the issuer and offeror of the financial products (Water Shares) under the Product Disclosure Statement for the Offer of Water Shares in Waimea Irrigators Limited dated 2 February 2018.

The Offer of Water Shares closes 22 March 2018 at 5.00pm.

For more information please contact Natasha Berkett, Project Manager for Waimea Irrigators Limited at natasha@waterforlife.nz.

We will provide timely newsletters to interested parties on our progress. To receive these newsletters, please sign up below.

More information on the Waimea Community Dam is available at www.waimeawater.nz.

Key Milestone Target Date
Preferred contractor identified December 2017 (completed)
Detailed Design September 2018 (completed)
Award Contract 1 November 2018
Commence Construction March 2019
Scheduled Scheme Completed February 2022
Scheme Operational March 2022