Rainer Irrigation Ltd, which has been in the industry for 25 years, gained the accreditation through Irrigation New Zealand.
Lucas Cawte, assistant manager at Rainer, said the company saw accreditation, with its focus on efficiency and consistency, as the way the industry needed to go.
''It's the start of a general trend to more regulation around systems,'' he said. Being first had given the company a marketing advantage.
''In the short term, it gives us the opportunity to flex our muscles a bit and it shows the depth in our design team.''
A lot of work went into the accreditation process, Mr Cawte said, with comprehensive details of such things as design, soil type, flows and pressure required.
''There was a lot around quality assurance and an ongoing commitment to keep quality up,'' he said.
''The company has just turned 25. That shows commitment to the industry and we intend to be around another 25 years or more.''
Owner-directors Gavin and Rodger Briggs had an extensive farming background that enabled them to know what clients wanted, Mr Cawte said.
''It contributes to the success of the business and we have good staff with many long-standing employees.''
While much of the company's work has been on the Canterbury Plains, recently staff have been working on systems for the rolling hills of North Canterbury.
Rainer Irrigation is not resting on its laurels, though, and is researching and developing new products.
''We want to future-proof things for our clients. We are trying to keep at the forefront of technology.''
Rainer Irrigation Ltd grew from a contracting business begun by Les and Don Briggs. Les is still involved in the business, although in the background these days.