GETTING OUT & ABOUT

Amalgamation Celebration

12th September 2024

The shareholders of the Maniototo Irrigation Scheme have voted in favour of amalgamating the four companies of the scheme to form the newly constituted company of Maniototo Irrigation Company.

An evening was held in September to celebrate this achievement and acknowledge all of the years of dedication and guidance from many voluntary board members across the four companies.

The evening was well attended with many learning more about the history and future of the scheme from Brendan Sheehan MIC's Dam Engineer. Historic images were shared from Hazlett Contracting who have been involved with building and maintenance work from the start. Click to download images

Special acknowledgement was given to those who have served more than 25 years as a director on one or more of the irrigation companies.

34 years - John Andrews
29 years - Denis Stumbles
28 years - Geoff Crutchley
26 years - Jeff Cleugh
25 years - Geoff Blakely

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ORC
Councillors Visit

28.02.2023

We were fortunate enough to join Tiaki Maniototo, the ORC Councillors and ORC staff out and about in the Upper Taieri last week.

Nothing tells a story better than a picture and, in this case, getting out and seeing it. The councillors were shown the real-life practicalities of policy with unintended consequences around full grazing exclusion.

Tiaki Maniototo shared the benefits they see from developing a specific Upper Taieri Catchment Plan for managing the scroll plain as an actively engaged community.

We were able to explain the specific workings of the scheme and how we are going over and above our regulatory obligations to uphold flow in the Taieri River.

ORC Science Team Leader Tom Dyer was able to explain the environmental conditions and unique aspect of the way the scroll plain behaves and how the scheme works in with the river to help maintain river integrity in dry spells.

Combined Experience Makes Change

Click here to read a write up on our new management structure.

Visit to Opuha Water Company

The MIC directors were fortunate enough to spend time with the Opuha Water Company staff and past & present directors in Timaru in early November. After a tour of the scheme with their General Manager (Andrew Mockford) they spent half a day learning about the journey that Opuha has undergone towards the current structure they have today.

Opuha talked about the obligations they are required to meet from ECAN and the steps they are undertaking to meet these expectations, they shared the journey of their merger and how they have structured the company including their staffing structure and their water charges.

MIC are very thankful for the time, energy and support that Opuha have offered them and look forward to working with them as MIC move through their re-structure and further establish their management team.

Board & Staff

The generosity of the time and knowledge of Opuha staff & Directors was hugely appreciated.

Spill Way

View from the dam wall looking down the spillway to the lead-in to the weir.

Elver Pass

An area of interest was looking at the elver pass and ideas for improving what is currently at the Paerau Weir.

Opuha Weir

Opuha showed us the function of the weir and the way that they can control flushes to help with environmental issues.

Maniototo Young Farmers Fishing Comp 2022

Jock Duncan

Jock with his winning catch for the Maniototo Young Farmers Fishing Competition held over the weekend of the 19th & 20th of November at the Waipiata Country Hotel. Well done, Jock, what a whopper!

Toby Duncan

Toby also caught an impressive trout whilst navigating the waters of the Upper Taieri (secret location of course). The quality and size of the fish entered in the competition were outstanding.

Johnny Duncan

Johnny's fish is a lb. or two behind his kids, but a great opportunity to get out and bond with the family. Congratulations to the Young Farmers of the Maniototo and all involved with organising such a great community event from the water ways of the Maniototo.