A study of the potential economic impact of a proposed Mid North Scheme alone showed it could create up to 440 new jobs and lift the value of output by $178m. The Kaipara Scheme could create up to 437 new jobs and lift the value of output in the region by $220m.
It led to the construction of three reservoirs. One in Kaipara and two in the Mid North.
All the reservoirs are designed to harvest water during high flows from small natural catchments as well as nearby rivers and streams, minimising environmental effects.
Construction of the 750,000m³ Matawii Reservoir, near Kaikohe, began in 2021 and was operational in 2023.
Matawii currently supplies the newly created Ngawha Innovation and Enterprise Park and provides a backup water supply for Kaikohe township.
In the Kaipara, construction of the second largest reservoir, Te Waihekeora, began in 2021 and is now finished. It was built in two stages. Stage One was operational in 2023 and was able to supply around 300,000 cubic metres of water . Stage two saw the reservoir enlarged to be able to hold 3.3 million cubic metres as water demand increases.
Shareholders, local hapu, Te Uri O Hau acquired land and planted a new avocado orchard in 2023 using the water supplied to them from the water scheme.
The largest reservoir, Otawere, will be finished ahead of time in Q4 2025. This is located at Waimate North, seven kilometres southwest of the horticulture hub of Kerikeri.
When full, Otawere will hold around 4 million cubic metres.
Construction of the access road to the Matawii Reservoir in the Mid North complete.
The Trust has so far received $73m from Kānoa, the Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit. Eight and half million of it was in the form of a grant, the rest was a loan.