MGI Today
The Morven Glenavy Ikawai has grown into one of New Zealand’s major farmer‑owned irrigation schemes, now supplying water to around 29,000 hectares using two Waitaki River intakes, a large canal network, ponds, and pressurised pipeline areas
Water for the MGI scheme is taken from the Waitaki River through two intake points. The Stonewall intake supplies the Redcliffs and Ikawai area through the original race network. Bells Pond is the main intake for the Morven–Glenavy scheme, where water diverted from the river is held in an off‑river pond and then released in a steady, controlled flow into the main race system
MGI adopted its Environmental Management Strategy in 2010 and was an early leader in Farm Environment Plans. All scheme farms must hold an independently audited FEP, embedded through Water User Agreements, forming the foundation for ongoing environmental improvement across 165 properties.