RDR Economic Impact Report
Uncovering the Lifeblood of Mid Canterbury: A Landmark Report Reveals the $612 Million Economic Impact of the Rangitata Diversion Race on the Region’s Growth and Vitality
This comprehensive 19-page economic report shines a spotlight on the immense contribution the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) makes to Mid Canterbury and the wider Canterbury region. The report quantifies the RDR’s role in supporting $612 million in regional GDP annually and sustaining over 3,400 full-time equivalent jobs. It captures the full scope of the RDR’s impact—spanning vital irrigation for over 100,000 hectares of productive farmland, renewable energy generation, and the delivery of environmental and stockwater benefits. This report offers powerful insights into the infrastructure that quietly powers our region.