Dam good idea?

Water storage, horticulture expansion and pest control dominated debate as Kaikōura electorate candidates faced Marlborough farmers.

Candidates attending were Matt Flight (Labour), Tom Spooner (ACT), Stuart Smith (National), Jamie Arbuckle (New Zealand First), and independent candidate Oliver John Hill-Hughes.

Alex Roberton

With some 5,000 hectares expected to be removed from grape production as the wine industry rebalances supply in Marlborough, questions were raised at Federated Farmers meet the candidates’ event about how that land could be used in the future.

Apples and kiwifruit featured prominently in the discussion, but candidates acknowledged this would place greater pressure on water supplies, as those crops require far more irrigation than vineyards.

The proposal of dams as a long-term solution raised by Stuart to support horticultural expansion and build resilience.

Matt questioned who would ultimately pay for a project of that scale, challenging the financial practicality of large water storage schemes particularly in the context of calls for rates caps on councils.

The evening focused on both national policy and local issues, with some of the strongest debate centred on Marlborough's future land use and water needs.

Stuart told the audience a large apple company is considering purchasing a significant Marlborough property for apple production. Jamie added that supporting infrastructure such as packhouses and cool stores would not be available overnight, describing them as part of a five to 10-year development plan.

Pest control was the final topic of the night, after an audience member raised concerns about what Federated Farmers described as a growing crisis.

The organisation estimates pests cost New Zealand's primary sector $466 million each year.

Tom argued for making greater use of New Zealand's hunting community and reducing barriers to assist the Department of Conservation with pest management.

Oliver suggested a Ministry of Works-style approach, funded by shifting spending away from defence, to create jobs focused on pest control.

Matt advocated for incentive-based solutions, including a bounty system.

Stuart highlighted hunter access issues in areas such as Molesworth, while Jamie supported changes to firearms legislation affecting hunters and agreed a bounty system could be worth exploring.