‘The Vineyard Will Have to Close if I Have No Water’: Matahiwi Estate Faces Crisis Over Race Closure

Award-winning Matahiwi Estate and local farms face closure as Masterton District Council prepares to shut the 120-year-old Opaki water race on June 30.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 4:56 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Economic and Animal Welfare Concerns

The closure of the race presents not only a commercial threat but a significant animal welfare issue. Doug Lawrence, who has operated a 36-acre lifestyle block for 40 years, noted that the race has been dry since October due to low flows and riverbed degradation. Lawrence, who runs 50 ewes and 15 hinds, stated that he has already lost stock in the past due to water shortages. Without the race, he argues, there is "absolutely no underground water" available to sustain the animals.

Nearby, a 400-acre farm leased to a dairy farmer has already seen stock moved to other regions because the dry race left the land ungrazable. Councillor David Holmes, a farmer and advocate for regional water security, has joined the opposition against the closure. He argues that the council is "obliged" to find alternative water sources for those dependent on the race and suggests that a relatively inexpensive weir at the Ruamahanga River inlet could secure a constant flow.

Council Position and Legal Extensions

The Masterton District Council initially decided to close the race in 2020 following public consultation, citing changing land use and the difficulty of renewing resource consents under the Resource Management Act (RMA). However, recent legislative shifts have automatically extended the expiry of such consents until December 31, 2027. Despite this "buffer," the council’s current budget and planning still reflect a June 30 closure.

Karen Yates, MDC’s group manager strategy, noted that while the council has helped some users find alternative sources, maintaining the race requires financial support from all ratepayers in the area—support the council claims is not universal. The cost of officially closing the race is estimated at $280,000. The council is set to begin a fresh round of consultation with race ratepayers to see if there is a collective will to pay for the infrastructure works required to secure intake flows for the next summer.