Listen: Labour's water tax could drive produce prices up

Irrigation New Zealand CEO Andrew Curtis said charging for water used in irrigation could drive up the prices of produce. Photo / Supplied

A nervous wait for some ahead of the Labour Party's announcement of its fresh water policy.

A commercial charge for the use of water is expected to be at the heart of it.

Irrigation New Zealand CEO Andrew Curtis told Nadine Higgins that could affect both bottling companies and those who use water for irrigation.

He said charging the latter could drive up the prices of produce.

"Not sure that they have thought the water tax issue through properly and the consequences of it, particularly for their typical voting makeup."

Curtis said farmers wouldn't be able to absorb the charge and would have to pass it on in some way.

"Irrigation is used to grow our fruit and our vegetables and our daily bottle of wine that many of us have, so that is going to have some implications there."

Listen as Andrew Curtis speaks with Nadine Higgins on Newstalk ZB in the Soundcloud below: