Irrigation has become a dirty word due to public perception that water storage equals more dairy cows says Steve Maharey.
The consultant and former Labour Cabinet Minister spoke to Jamie Mackay today saying if New Zealand wants to stay a food producing nation "we've really got to store water because we will need more of it and we will need a totally reliable source of water."
Maharey believes New Zealanders need to get rid of the notion that "irrigation equals cows."
This will be a difficult perception to erase, says Steve, especially with public figures such as Dr Mike Joy "changing the way they, (New Zealanders), think about water use in the country."
Steve is interested in having a broader debate with Dr Joy to discuss what direction New Zealand should take if irrigation is not an option.
