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Sustainable Water Growing Our World.

Our operations

Central Plains Water Limited (CPWL) delivers sustainable and reliable irrigation water to farmers and growers across the Selwyn District of Canterbury, using water from the Rakaia and Waimakariri rivers. Our scheme supports one of New Zealand’s most productive agricultural regions and the communities that depend on it.

Supporting Canterbury agriculture

Over the past century, Canterbury has become one of New Zealand’s most important agricultural regions. Farming and food production underpin the region’s identity and economy, and Canterbury’s world-leading food and fibre products are sought after internationally.

As global demand grows, farmers and growers need dependable access to water. Sustainable irrigation is essential to keeping Canterbury’s land productive for generations to come.

Our history

The CPWL story began in 1883, when the Malvern County Council first proposed an irrigation scheme for the Central Plains.

In 2000, the Christchurch City Council and Selwyn District Council formed the Central Plains Water Enhancement Scheme Steering Committee, with the aim of securing Canterbury’s agricultural future through sustainable irrigation. In 2003, the Central Plains Water Trust (CPWT) took over from the Steering Committee to progress the project and raise initial capital.

CPWL was established in September 2003 to build and operate the scheme. In November 2004, we issued a prospectus to fund the consenting process. Shares carrying water rights were fully subscribed by 400 farmers within the scheme area.

Building the scheme

The road to construction brought challenges, including a revised scheme proposal in 2010. We built strong partnerships and secured loans and government grants to fund our infrastructure. A pivotal 2013 decision allowed water to be released from Lake Coleridge, strengthening the reliability of supply for our shareholders.

The scheme was built in three stages between 2014 and 2018, and today we continue to deliver sustainable and reliable irrigation to farms across the Selwyn District.

Images 1-5: Stage 1 construction

Images 6-12: Stage 2 construction

Images 13-18: Sheffield scheme construction.

CPWL Timeline.

1883: The beginning.

The first approach about an irrigation scheme is made to central Government by the then Malvern County Council.

1934: Scheme exploration.

The Government begins to explore large-scale irrigation in Canterbury and Central Otago, the two driest regions in New Zealand.

2000: The early years.

The Central Plains Water Enhancement Scheme Steering Committee, a joint committee of the Christchurch City Council and Selwyn District Council, is established.

2003: Establishment of CPWL.

CPWL is established to implement and operate the scheme; in 2004 CPWL issues a prospectus to raise funding to support the consenting process.

2012: Design begins.

CPWL receives a $5 million loan from the Selwyn District Council to progress to detailed design work of the scheme on Stage 1, with a further $5.7 million from the Ministry for Primary Industries Irrigation Fund.

2013: Stored water solution.

The Government accepts Environment Canterbury’s recommendation to amend the Rakaia River Water Conservation Order. The change allows water stored in Lake Coleridge to be released for irrigation when river flows are low, which gave us a reliable storage solution.

2013: Consents granted.

The Central Plains Water Trust is granted resource consents from Environment Canterbury and Selwyn District Council to build and operate the scheme.

2014: Stage 1 construction begins.

Construction starts on Stage 1, which uses run-of-river water from the Rakaia River, supported by stored water from Lake Coleridge, to irrigate 23,000 hectares. The build includes 17 kilometres of canal, 130 kilometres of pipeline, 13 bridges and 12 pump stations. Stage 1 is completed in 2016, on time and on budget, at a cost of $157 million.

2015: Best practice agriculture.

Farmer shareholders enter into Water Use Agreements and Farm Environment Plans are required to be part of the scheme.

2015: Award-winning.

CPWL wins the Champion Canterbury Supreme award and the Champion Canterbury Infrastructure medium/large category award. These awards recognise excellence, innovation and business success.

2016: Sheffield construction begins.

Construction starts on the Sheffield scheme, which uses run-of-river water from the Waimakariri River to irrigate 4,300 hectares. The build includes a 20-hectare storage pond, 37 kilometres of pipeline and 7 pump stations. Sheffield is completed in 2017, on time and on budget, at a cost of $42 million.

2017: Stage 2 construction begins.

Construction starts on Stage 2, which uses run-of-river water from the Rakaia River, supported by stored water from Lake Coleridge. The build includes 199 kilometres of pipeline, 12 pump stations and 3 pressure-reducing stations. Stage 2 is completed in 2018, on time and on budget, at a cost of $182 million.

2018: Water switched on.

In September 2018, construction is complete, 135 years after Malvern County Council first proposed a large-scale irrigation scheme for the Central Plains. Low-nutrient alpine water now flows through a network of underground pipes to irrigate more than 45,000 hectares of land, delivering environmental, economic and social benefits to the wider community.

2019: Groundwater recharge.

By giving irrigators an alternative to groundwater and permanently switching them to low-nutrient alpine water, the scheme allows for the retirement of circa 50-70 million cubic metres of groundwater from irrigation use. This reduction helps protect Canterbury’s groundwater resources for the future.

The Road to Resilience.

135 years after Malvern County Council made the first approach to central government, CPWL has realised its vision. We’re now bringing irrigation to the Central Plains of Canterbury, delivering environmental, economic and social benefits to the wider community by increasing Canterbury food and fibre production for local and world markets.