HELPING horticulturalists to “manage within limits” was the focus of an irrigation workshop held in Gisborne last week.

The workshop was one of many run throughout the country by Irrigation New Zealand and contained practical sessions on irrigation essentials and technologies for managing within limits.

Irrigation NZ has worked with local irrigators and Gisborne District Council to find out what is relevant for the Gisborne region.

Water management during summer is a key issue as resources were limited over that time, and that is when there is the highest need for irrigation.

GDC water conservation team leader Dennis Crone said it was everyone’s aim to ensure the resource was managed in a sustainable way.

The council is developing a Water Plan in conjunction with a Freshwater Advisory Group, which includes representatives from the horticulture industry.