Well pump inventor wins at Fieldays

By ELLEN READ

John Harrison of Kerikeri took out the top energy-efficiency prize in yesterday's National Fieldays invention and innovation competition.

The farmer-sawmiller-inventor won with his deep well pump which uses the weight of the water to help the machine run.

This keeps energy use low and means the pump can run on just 12 volts, a fraction of the normal demands.

Harrison has a long association with Fieldays, having won his first prize there 23 years ago with another water pump.

His winning entry this year can pump up to 20 litres per minute.

Its low energy use means it can run easily on solar power.

Harrison also won the award for best demonstrator, for his dedication to the public despite yesterday's rain and wind.

"I think I'll take tomorrow [Saturday] off and go watch the grandkids play sport," he said. A well-deserved rest.

A raft of awards were presented at the Fieldays innovation centre, honouring the inventors who are driven by the desire to make things better, cheaper and smarter.

Many past winners have gone into production, creating jobs and wealth.

"The essence of Kiwi ingenuity" is how compere Jim Hopkins described this year's winners, including two boys who have attached blades to gumboots for tackling thistles, a one-wheel trailer for use with a farm bike, an automatic cattle drafter and a roller made of three 40-gallon drums.