ABOUT US
The Maniototo Irrigation Scheme is fed from the Taieri River and Loganburn Reservoir. The water is released from the reservoir down through the Loganburn Creek until the confluance of the Taieri River. The water travels along the Taieri River until the Paerau Weir, from here it is diverted and travels to the Paerau Headpond before going through the Paerau Powerstation or continue down the river. After power generation is complete it goes in to the link race to split off to the Westside and Waipiata Schemes through the Linnburn Gates, and to the Eastside Scheme through the Eastside Gate, this is also the race that water will travel to the Patearoa Power Station for power generation.
Scheme History
The scheme construction began in 1973 as a Ministry of Works Contract. The project began solely as an irrigation scheme, but as budget constraints set in it was expanded to include a Hydro Electric Scheme in the headworks (now owned by Manawa Energy). Subsequently the scheme build was abandoned with only 40% built. In 1983-84 season the completed branch now known as Maniototo Westside was commissioned. After 2 years of operation under the Ministry of Works the scheme was purchased by the farmers of the Westside, this was when Maniototo Irrigation Company was formed. In 1989 the farmers who were effected by the truncation formed the Waipiata and Maniototo Eastside companies to complete their branches of the scheme. Maniototo Westside, Maniototo Eastside and Waipiata joined together as shareholders of Maniototo Irrigation Company (MIC). MIC are responsible for the critical task of the management of the water consents across the whole scheme and the maintenance and management of the headworks and the delivery through each distribution companies gates. MIC also have a 33% shared ownership of water delivery assets with their partner Manawa Energy.
Scheme Companies
The Scheme is comprised of four companies. Maniototo Irrigation Company (MIC) is the the company who is responsible for the water consents and all reporting and compliance associated with these consents. MIC manages all aspects associated with the headworks, and water delivery to the distribution companies gates.
There are three distribution companies that deliver water to the irrigators points of take. These are Maniototo Westside Irrigation Company, Maniototo Eastside Irrigation Company and Waipiata Irrigation Company. These three distribution companies are all shareholders in the Maniototo Irrigation Company.