The Northland region is to receive almost $13 million through the Provincial Growth Fund to make its water infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather events.
Northland is experience widespread dry spells and no significant rain is forecast for the next three months. Photo: RNZ / Liz Garton
The money will go to two water storage projects in the region.
Northland Regional Council will get $12m for the Northland Water Storage and Use Project and $745,000 will go to Kaipara District Council for the Kai for Kaipara Water project.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said water is critical for Northland's economy and wellbeing but it was increasingly under threat from floods, drought, declining rainfall and river flows and rising temperatures.
"Through this initiative Northland will be able to store water during peak flow times to use during dry periods," Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones said.
"A reliable freshwater supply will lead to benefits that include providing landowners with greater land use options and the opportunity to develop new sustainable agriculture and horticulture markets."
A $4m investment to upgrade the Dargaville pontoon was also announced today.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Northland region received funding boosts to infrastructure including the four-laning of State Highway 1 between Whangarei and Marsden Point.