# National Promises $300m Water Loans for Farmers

> National Party offers $300m low-cost loans to help farmers store water for dry seasons.
- Title: National Promises $300m Water Loans for Farmers · RNZ
- Summary: National Party offers $300m low-cost loans to help farmers store water for dry seasons. National Party pledges $300 million in low-cost loans for water…
- Keywords: national party, water storage, farmer vote, election 2026, low-cost loans, rainwater harvesting, politics, news, National, Promises, 300m, Water
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1803343/national-woos-farmer-vote-with-300m-low-cost-loans-for-water-storage
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-08T22:45:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: national party, water storage, farmer vote, election 2026, low-cost loans, rainwater harvesting, politics, news
## National targets farmer vote
National Party promises $300 million low-cost loans for water storage to help farmers collect rainwater during wet seasons and use it during dry periods.
## Water security challenge
New Zealand captures only two percent of annual rainfall despite high per capita rainfall, causing water insecurity in many regions.
## Irrigation potential
400,000 hectares of farmland could be irrigated with new water storage schemes, boosting production and local economies.
## Funding and implementation
The $300 million loans would be repaid within ten years, with $16.3 million annual write-down cost managed through the Primary Sector Growth Fund.
## Key takeaway

National Party pledges $300 million in low-cost loans for water storage to secure farmer votes in the 2026 election.