A cornerstone of the Wairarapa’s viticulture and agricultural landscape is facing an existential threat as the Masterton District Council weighs the future of a century-old water delivery system. The Matahiwi Estate, an award-winning vineyard and a prominent fixture in the region’s wine industry, has warned that it may be forced to cease operations if it loses access to the Opaki water race.
The 25km long watercourse, which has served the lower North Island for 120 years, provides a critical lifeline for more than 50 properties. Among them are approximately eight commercial operations that depend on the race to sustain their crops and livestock. For Alastair Scott, the owner of Matahiwi Estate and a former Wairarapa electorate MP, the stakes are absolute: “The vineyard will have to close if I have no water,” Scott said. “I can’t grow grapes without water. I can’t make a decision about next year’s crop until I know about the water race.”
The crisis stems from a 2020 council decision to decommission the race, with a closure date originally set for June 30 of this year. While the Masterton District Council has recently indicated a potential extension of the deadline, the uncertainty has left local producers in a state of precarious limbo, unable to plan for future harvests or manage stock levels.
The Human and Agricultural Cost of Water Scarcity
The impact of the potential closure extends beyond the vineyard. For livestock farmers, the water race is not merely a convenience but a requirement for animal welfare. Doug Lawrence, who has managed a 14-hectare lifestyle block featuring sheep and deer for four decades, notes that the race was a primary motivator for his purchase of the property.
Lawrence currently manages 50 ewes and 15 hinds, with another 14 young animals born this year. “If we don’t have water we don’t have stock,” Lawrence said, recalling previous instances where water shortages led to the loss of livestock.
The urgency is underscored by the fact that the race has been largely dry since October, leading to severe shortages of stock water. In some cases, the lack of water has rendered grazing land unusable; Lawrence noted a neighboring 162-hectare farm leased to a dairy farmer where stock cannot graze due to the absence of water.
The Council’s Rationale and the Legal Loophole
The Masterton District Council’s decision to close the race was not sudden. According to Karen Yates, the council’s group manager of strategy, the move was decided in 2020 following public consultation. The council cited legislative changes regarding water and land leverage, which complicated the renewal of the resource consent required to operate the race.
Council documents further suggest that only a minority of users are heavily reliant on the race for stock water, and the council expressed doubt that there was sufficient support among all users to justify the ongoing maintenance. The estimated cost to the council for the closure process could reach $280,000.
However, a legislative shift has provided a temporary reprieve. Recent amendments to the Resource Management Act have automatically extended the expiry of many consents to December 31, 2027. This legal extension means the race can technically remain operational, though the council is now consulting with users to determine if it should be operated during this period.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Length | 25 kilometers |
| Age of Infrastructure | 120 years |
| Closure Decision | Made in 2020 |
| Original Deadline | June 30, 2024 |
| Extended Consent Date | December 31, 2027 |
| Estimated Closure Cost | Up to $280,000 |
Internal Divide and Proposed Solutions
The decision has not been unanimous within the council. Councillor David Holmes, a farmer himself, has emerged as a vocal opponent of the closure, framing the issue as one of basic animal welfare. Holmes argues that because there is no underground water in the area, the race is the only viable option for many.
Holmes has proposed a relatively low-cost engineering solution: the construction of a weir at the inlet on the Ruamahanga River. He contends that this would ensure a constant flow of water and secure the region’s water security. He suggests that if the council proceeds with the closure, it may be legally obliged to provide an alternative water source for the affected users.
The council, however, remains cautious. Karen Yates noted that autumn supplies were already compromised by low river flows and riverbed degradation. Securing intake flows for the next summer would require significant works in the river, and continuing to operate the race would indicate continued levying of rates on race ratepayers past June 2026.
As the council prepares to enter a new round of consultations with ratepayers, the future of the Opaki water race—and by extension, the viability of the Matahiwi vineyard—remains uncertain. The resolution will likely depend on whether the council views the race as an obsolete liability or a critical piece of regional infrastructure.
The Masterton District Council is expected to begin formal consultations with race users shortly to explore their views on operating the race through the extended consent period. A final decision on the extension and any necessary river works will follow these discussions.
Do you believe local councils should prioritize the preservation of historic agricultural infrastructure over modern legislative streamlining? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
