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Story: Canterbury region

Irrigation channels

Irrigation channels

Irrigation of the Canterbury Plains was essential to the success of mixed farming. Large-scale irrigation began in 1945 with a diversion race from the Rangitātā River. By 2002 there were 188,170 hectares of irrigated land. This channel is at Mayfield, north-west of Ashburton.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Jock Phillips

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How to cite this page:

John Wilson. 'Canterbury region', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 2-Mar-09
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/canterbury-region/8/3