O.N.Z.M for Tom Henderson richly deserved

Federated Farmers is hailing Tom Henderson appointment as an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit (O.N.Z.M), as great recognition for one of Federated Farmers most senior members and the ‘Sir Bill Hamilton’ of modern water storage.

“Tom Henderson’s O.N.Z.M recognises the immense contribution he has made to Federated Farmers and to the New Zealand agricultural community,” says Don Nicolson, President of Federated Farmers.

“Tom Henderson is the ‘Sir Bill Hamilton’ of water storage. He is testament to the optimism, determination and faith in a better tomorrow, which makes Kiwi farmers the best in the world.

“Well before ‘Acts of God’ became ‘climate change’, Tom Henderson realised South Canterbury shouldn’t face summer drought because of high winter water flows. He was convinced water storage was the solution so with like-minded people, he set out to store water to counteract the effect of hot summer nor’westers.

“Tom Henderson was instrumental in forming the Opihi River Augmentation Society that led to the building of the Opuha Dam near Fairlie. The Dam today is a magnum opus of community led water storage and contributes to the region’s tourism and recreation offering as well.

“Tom Henderson’s appointment as an O.N.Z.M recognises the immense work put in by everyone involved on the Opuha project. It’s an O.N.Z.M for water storage given the Opuha Dam proved water storage was commercially viable. In achieving this, his team overcame sceptics and naysayers putting water storage firmly back on the policy agenda.

“Today the Opuha Dam provides permanent water flow to the Opihi River irrigating 16,000 hectares of farmland. It’s estimated the Opuha Dam has increased annual farm output by $124 million and created 480 full-time jobs in the local community, including tourism.

“There are a lot of people like me who have sound cause to congratulate Tom Henderson on becoming an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit,” Mr Nicolson concluded.