Farmers' pro-dam rally tomorrow in Waipukurau

Supporters say a water reservoir will be good for the Hawke's Bay region. Photo/File

Federated Farmers is looking for support from town and country in a rally tomorrow calling for support for the Ruataniwha Dam water storage project.

The rally takes place in Waipukurau starting at the town's War Memorial Centre at noon, and is expected to see streets of the town lined with trucks, tractors and other farm vehicles.

The call was reinforced late yesterday by Federated Farmers provincial president and Takapau Plains farmer Will Foley.

Mr Foley said: "This Friday is our chance to show New Zealand how much Hawke's Bay wants to create a positive future for our kids and their kids. The dam will provide so much opportunity for Hawke's Bay.

"We are expecting a strong show of support and are positively backing Ruataniwha because this is our last shot before the Board of Inquiry delivers its final decision.

"Nothing of any worth has ever come from being negative.

"That's why we need a positive show of support to demonstrate what we the people who live here want. The feeling in the community is positive and we need to make a stand to show how much of a game changer the dam is going to be for the region.

"The South Island's Opuha scheme is a shining example of how the whole water storage package works for the economy and the environment.

"The answer to reversing the population drift to Auckland and reversing the loss of businesses and services is as simple as 'just add water.'

"Federated Farmers is okay with having a number for nitrogen, but let's make it an indicator and not chiselled in granite. The whole scheme's viability hinges on this policy point.

"That will only happen if we show everyone just what Ruataniwha means to us."