Mr Curtis, who has been in the role for nearly 10 years, is leaving to start two new ventures.
Irrigation Support is an independent advisory service to assist irrigators to achieve good management practice requirements, and Water Strategies, a specialist consultancy providing solutions for water allocation and management.
IrrigationNZ chairwoman Nicky Hyslop said Mr Curtis had made a significant contribution, not only to INZ but to the irrigation sector as a whole.
"Andrew’s keen understanding of the environment and New Zealand’s natural water systems, his knowledge of the consenting and policy landscapes and his ability to forge relationships with our many and varied members and partner organisations has been hugely valuable," she said.
Before joining INZ 10 years ago, Mr Curtis was a strategic adviser for water at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. He has also farmed and originally lived and worked in the UK.
He will remain in his role through to March 2019, providing time to hand over to a new chief executive.
