Te Waihekeora is now fully operational and three new avocado businesses have been born from it. The owners are among multiple shareholders now taking water for irrigation including Kaipara hapu, Te Uri O Hau.

The Trust employed a mix of locals and out of towners to build the reservoir. At its peak, around 30 workers were on site. More than 500 thousand cubic metres of soil was moved to make room and enable storage for the water. Forty-two hectares of plastic liner was used on the floor. Around 17 kilometers of pipe has been installed to distribute the water. The Trust also planted 5 hectares of native plants around the perimeter.

 The reservoir is around a quarter full and is primarily filled by taking water from Cole Drain and Makaka Creek during times of high flow.

 The Trust is community minded and leases its land to the Dargaville Motorcross Club. There could be an opportunity for water sports to be played out on the reservoirs in the future.

 Kaipara Timelapse Video