The Country 19/11/25: Karen Williams talks to Jamie Mackay

The chief executive of Irrigation NZ comments on the damage to the North Canterbury pivots ahead of this afternoon's AGM in Christchurch.

 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Wrapping the show with Karen Williams, Chief executive of These
Days of Irrigation New Zealand. Why are Rapper Farmer? But
she's not there today, she's down in christ Church ahead
of this afternoon's AGM. And of course Canterbury has been
at the forefront of your thoughts, Karen, because you've had
that incredible damage, especially in North Canterbury to all those
center pivot irrigators.

Speaker 2 (00:21):
Yeah, good afternoon, Jamie. Yeah, and now look, gosh, the
South Island was sort of all the brunt of that.
We also saw some pivots tipped over in South Water
Upper as well, but yeah, that Colvid and the Murray
Basin area was definitely the epcenter of damage and destruction.

Speaker 1 (00:37):
So I was reading four to five hundred spans were toppled.
That's going to take a lot of repairing. But the
cavalry is coming, apparently in the form of the Aussies.

Speaker 2 (00:47):
Yeah, look, and your numbers. We're sort of just checking
them in with some of the insurance companies today and
we probably are looking in that five hundred spand yeah,
and look, I must want to acknowledge all of the
industry and government really reaching out to each other right
from day dot to look at how we can facilitate
the quickest outcomes for our farmers and growers. And so

(01:10):
you know, teams were stood up really quickly by the
service companies and they're also looking offshore and at this
stage to Australia for bringing in some more skilled resource
and that's just you know, they're confident that they're going
to really break the back of this before Christmas and
with the three peers with complete rebuilds and we're only

(01:32):
looking at a handful of those that will head through
into the new year.

Speaker 1 (01:36):
Yeah, and the farmers will be hoping they get some
rain in the meantime because it's going to be tough
farming without that arrogating. They just need to schedule a
one day international for COVID and and if WELD solve
all the problems, it seems like you guys in the
wire rapper may get some benefit from that. It's in
the Bay of plenty now. One text has said peeing

(01:56):
down was a polite way of saying it and ope,
so maybe no cricket, but the farmers will be happy.
Hey what is it about Whira Rapper Shane mcmanaway, Celia
Jasper is there your next door neighbors.

Speaker 2 (02:09):
It's a good spot. You'll have to come and visit
and bring the show along sometimes.

Speaker 1 (02:13):
Well, I am coming to visit for the Golden Shares
and the World Championship or the World Championship Shares in
Masterton when late February early March next year.

Speaker 2 (02:23):
Yes, fantastic. Well we should arrange something because there's some yes,
some great great local leaders there and some and some
tefnitally an opportunity for something.

Speaker 1 (02:32):
I'm staring at your place. Have you not got that memo?

Speaker 2 (02:35):
I thought I had Rowena Stang But that's fine.

Speaker 1 (02:37):
Oh we can get you get to pet the two
of us for the price of one. I'm sure I'll
find somewhere to bunk down. What a great region. Hey,
Karen Williams, good luck for your AGM this afternoon.

Speaker 2 (02:47):
Thank you, Jamie. Bye,