WaterForce was named a finalist in the Team & Collaboration Award at the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards because of the way our team worked with farmers, irrigation schemes, suppliers, contractors and industry partners to support rural communities under pressure. It was a recognition of collaboration, practical leadership and people pulling together when it mattered.
We were incredibly humbled to be named finalists in the Team & Collaboration Award at this year’s Primary Industries New Zealand Awards.
This wasn’t an award we set out to enter ourselves. We were nominated by industry partners, which made the recognition especially meaningful for everyone at WaterForce.
For us, that matters. Because the story behind this nomination isn’t just about irrigation repairs. It’s about what happens when a community needs water restored, and competitors, suppliers, customers, contractors and staff work as one team.
A challenging time for irrigated agriculture
Over the past few years, parts of New Zealand’s irrigated agriculture sector have faced some serious challenges.
Weather events, supply pressures, seasonal demands and the practical realities of keeping farm systems running have tested people right across the industry. When water infrastructure is affected, the impact is felt quickly.
For farmers, irrigation isn’t a nice-to-have. It supports pasture growth, feed supply, stock health, crop production and business continuity. When systems go down at the wrong time of year, the pressure is immediate.
That’s where good people, good planning and strong relationships count.
The response was bigger than one company
One of the strongest parts of this nomination was the way it recognised collaboration across the wider sector.
WaterForce worked alongside farmers, irrigation schemes, suppliers, contractors, industry organisations and other providers to help restore critical irrigation infrastructure and support rural communities.
There were parts to source, repairs to schedule, properties to visit, farmers to keep informed and decisions to make under pressure.
No one does that well in isolation.
The response needed clear communication, practical decision-making and a willingness to put the needs of farmers first. That meant working as an integrated partner, not just turning up as a contractor.
Showing up when rural communities need support
Being part of rural New Zealand means more than supplying equipment.
It means showing up when people need you. It means taking the phone call, finding the part, working through the options and keeping people informed, even when the answer isn’t simple.
During major repair and recovery work, farmers don’t just need technical support. They need confidence that there is a plan.
That confidence comes from people on the ground, crews in the field, suppliers doing what they can, industry bodies helping clear roadblocks and customers working with the information available.
That’s the sort of teamwork this recognition represents.
Proud to be part of a collaborative industry
While we were proud to be finalists, we also want to congratulate Sow the Seed Advisory and the Horticulture & Agriculture Teachers Association on taking out the Team & Collaboration Award.
Their work connecting young people with agriculture and horticulture is helping build the future of New Zealand’s primary industries. It was fantastic to see that contribution recognised.
A big congratulations also goes to all finalists across the awards. The evening was a reminder that New Zealand’s primary industries are full of people doing practical, meaningful work, often behind the scenes.
Recognition that belongs to many people
This finalist recognition belongs to more than WaterForce.
It belongs to the farmers who worked with us through difficult conditions. It belongs to irrigation schemes, suppliers, contractors and industry partners who helped keep things moving. It belongs to the WaterForce team in the field, on the phones, in the workshop, in logistics and behind the scenes.
The strength of rural New Zealand isn’t measured by the challenges we face, but by how we respond together.
That’s what this nomination means to us.
And we’re proud to be part of an industry where people still roll up their sleeves and get the job done.
Need support with your irrigation or water system?
WaterForce works with farmers, rural property owners, irrigation schemes and commercial operators across New Zealand.
Whether you need help with irrigator servicing, water supply systems, pumping solutions, water meters, filtration or stock water infrastructure, our team can help you plan, install and maintain systems that work in real conditions.
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