$7m loan to firm up Wairarapa's water infrastructure secured

The prospect of extreme hot, dry temperatures caused by climate change has prompted a multimillion-dollar investment in Wairarapa's water infrastructure.

A $7m loan from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will finance the pre-construction development of a water storage and distribution structure at the Wakamoekau site, northwest of Masterton, Fletcher Tabuteau announced on Wednesday.

A further $110,000 will be used by the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency, in conjunction with the Wairarapa Water Resilience Committee, to produce a climate change resilience strategy.

The decision has been welcomed by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) which has pointed to "a future of extreme conditions" for the Wairarapa region. Read more