Participants at a water symposium in Hawke's Bay have agreed that better water management will lead to stronger rural communities.
More than 100 people representing about 40 groups attended the two day event.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council is delighted at the commitment they have shown to co-operating on water allocation for the next generation.
Chief executive Andrew Newman says about 86% of the water in the region is used by agribusiness, with 27,000 hectares under irrigation
He says the security of water for current and potential demand is become increasingly tenuous.
Former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Morgan Williams says the allocation of water in the rural sector has been a hit and miss business for a long time.
Dr Williams says the smartest thing is to take it through a meter and get the best 'crop for your drop'.
