Pāhonoa te oro

For farms lucky enough to have a steady stream, river, or even an irrigation channel with sufficient drop, small-scale hydropower can provide reliable, round-the-clock electricity. However, hydro is very site-specific and requires careful planning plus Environment Agency permits to protect local wildlife and water users. Many farms also turn to biomass, using crop residues, manure, or wood waste in boilers or digesters to produce heat and sometimes electricity.