Irrigation New Zealand is expecting the Government's new investment company to make its first commitments to regional water schemes in the new year.
The Crown Irrigation Investment Company was set up earlier this year, with initial funding of $80 million to help get construction under way for new schemes.
The Government has indicated it is prepared to invest up to $400 million in the company to provide projects with funding which will have to be paid back.
Irrigation New Zealand chair John Donkers told its annual meeting Government support for the sector, through such things as the irrigation acceleration fund, had been a highlight of the year.
"But the really big news at the beginning of the year was the Government bringing forward their plans to invest in water infrastructure," Mr Donkers said.
"Good progress has been made on that and, with fair wind, we should that company perhaps make its first investments in infrastructure companies in the new year, 2014."
