Farm longer | Farm smarter 1 | Page 6

LAND SUSTAINABILITY The Wairoa District Council is actively engaged in supporting land owners and prospective agriculture and horticulture businesses to grow a deeper understanding of the potential of the land within our district to support various crops and activities. The Wairoa District Council has (for example) partnered with the University of Waikato and Landcare Research to investigate the potential for development of land throughout the district through a detailed resource assessment (including GIS analysis, soil water balance assessment, climate and water resource analysis). The research will cover the whole district (which has a landmass of 4,118 km2) and has a specific focus on identifying how flat land can be more productively used. With a mild climate and huge water resource the opportunities to invest, grow and prosper within the Te Wairoa area are hugely exciting. The Wairoa District Council’s ‘green carpet’ facilitative approach, along with our strong focus on economic growth within the district – mean that you can be assured of comprehensive support in establishing or growing your business. Y THE WAIROA DISTRICT OFFERS A LAND AREA OF about 30% of Wairoa district’s land area has 4-10 days of spring frost about 20% of Wairoa district’s land area has 11-26 days of spring frost Predominantly surrounded by hills and countryside the soil is fertile and deep. The land can be utilised in a diverse range of ways such as agriculture (primarily sheep and beef), horticulture and forestry. An annual rainfall of between 1,500-2,844mm in most areas of the Wairoa district provides the perfect conditions to cultivate fruits. = D L 2 FIE m 0 8 0 , 10 R Wairoa experiences a climate that has regular rainfall balanced by seasonal warmth with limited constraints such as drought and spring frosts. Most of Wairoa district’s land area has between zero and three days of spring frosts which makes the climate perfect for horticulture. about 50% of Wairoa district’s land area has less than 3 days of spring frost The overall objective of this study is to identify opportunities for investment in a range of crops that have potential for more intensive land use – leading to increased sustainable employment and prosperity for the region. B UG NURTURING CLIMATE 3,713 RUGBY FIELDS about 80% of Wairoa district’s land area has between 1,500-2,844mm of annual rainfall THAT COULD BE USED TO GROW FRUIT & OTHER CROPS. about 20% of Wairoa district’s land area has between 930-1,500mm of annual rainfall The Wairoa district is rich in water resources. The next page illustrates how plentiful and rich the water resources are.