Wai Design

02/06/2026

Mirihiku Regen is an innovative established by Hokonui Rūnanga in 2020 to drive long-term, sustainable prosperity for Murihiku/ Southland by building a coherent strategy that establishes partnerships, supports growth, protects the environment and enhances the wellbeing of its people.
At the heart of their mahi is a commitment to community aspirations - investing in development, education, and upskilling so that opportunities today will sustain Southlanders for generations. With its holistic approach and strong regional leadership Murihiku Regen is positioned as a globally competitive hub for sustainable growth.
Simon and I were inspired by the innovation and commitment the region has for its community.

24/05/2026

Water audits are often one of the simplest ways to improve the performance of an irrigation system.
Over time, even well-designed systems can drift out of balance — blocked nozzles, pressure variation, uneven application, or areas receiving more or less water than intended. Often the changes are gradual and not immediately obvious.
A water audit helps identify how a system is actually performing in the field, rather than how it was originally designed to perform.
The result is usually better water efficiency, more even coverage, and a clearer understanding of where improvements can be made — whether on parks, sportsfields, racecourses, golf courses, or farm systems.
Good water management starts with good information.
Contact Simon at Wai Design to get a comprehensive audit of your irrigation system.

17/05/2026

The consultancy work Wai Design are involved in is often quite varied — from wastewater irrigation and disposal fields, to high country stock water systems, water audits on irrigation systems, and racecourse irrigation.

Different sites and different challenges, but always the same focus: understanding how water moves across the land and designing practical systems that perform well over time.

At Wai Design, we can help with a wide range of water consultancy needs — bringing practical, site-specific thinking to each project.

27/04/2026

Winter is upon us, with Temperatures and snow levels lowering. Plan now, and a sustainable irrigation scheme will be in place for the spring.
Contact Simon 0275412828. [email protected]

06/04/2026

How the Site Is Used.
Water design should reflect how a place is used.
A landscape’s purpose affects how irrigation should be designed.

Sports fields, public spaces, gardens, and rural properties all have different performance expectations.

Understanding how people use a space helps guide irrigation design so the system supports both the landscape and the people using it.

Good design fits the place.

29/03/2026

Things we look for before designing water: Available Water

One of the most important questions is simple: how much water is actually available?

The capacity of the water supply influences system layout, irrigation zones, and application rates.

Designing within the limits of the available supply ensures the system works properly without overloading pumps or pipelines.

Practical design always starts with understanding the resource.

23/03/2026

Things we look for before designing water: Sun and Shade

Sun exposure plays a big role in how landscapes use water.

Areas in full sun lose moisture more quickly, while shaded areas often require much less irrigation.

A well-designed system accounts for these differences, ensuring water is applied where it’s needed — and not where it isn’t.

Thoughtful design creates healthier landscapes and more efficient water use.

22/03/2026

Sustainable irrigation is so important. Use water wisely.

Happy World Water Day. March 22, 2026.💙

15/03/2026

Over the next few weeks we’ll share some of the key things we look at before designing irrigation systems. Good water design starts long before the sprinklers go in.
Soil
Things we look for before designing water: Soil

Every irrigation design starts with understanding the soil.

Different soils hold and move water in very different ways. Some drain quickly, while others retain moisture for longer periods.

Designing irrigation without considering soil type can lead to overwatering, dry patches, or wasted water.

At Wai Design, soil understanding is the starting point for systems that perform reliably over time.

08/03/2026

Riccarton Park – Long-Term Water Infrastructure

Wai Design has been proud to support the Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park through two significant infrastructure upgrades.

Following the earthquakes and demolition of the old grandstand, we were responsible for connecting the racecourse potable water supply to Council infrastructure — ensuring resilience and reliability for the future.

More recently, we completed a major upgrade of the irrigation system across:
• the Course Proper
• and two training tracks

Racing surfaces demand precise, even water application. Consistency across the track is critical for performance and safety.

To achieve this, GPS surveying was essential for accurate set-out and detailed as-built documentation — ensuring the system delivers exactly as designed.

Projects like this require coordination, technical accuracy, and collaboration — and we’re proud of the role Wai Design has played in helping Riccarton Park perform at the highest level.