The $256 million Ruataniwha irrigation scheme involves the construction of an 83 metre dam on the Makaroro River in Central Hawke's Bay, creating a reservoir capable of storing 91 million cubic metres of water which could potentially irrigate 20,000-30,000ha, depending on land use. It has been dogged with controversy after it was claimed political intervention led to the Department of Conservation and GNS scientist being gagged. (Bennett, 2013). 

See also: Ruataniwha dam controversy spreads, New Zealand Herald, 26 September 2013; The many and varied problems with the Ruataniwha Dam proposal, The Standard, 6 October 2013; Hawke's Bay Regional Council.