well i guess they could be usefull for getting rid of excess water. but they will slowly dissappear over the next few years as the farm is being converted to a vineyard which will still require irrigation. as for our high amount of rainfall and runoff i think you should take a look at any where in nz as there are irrigation shcemes for africa except perhaps for the west coast where there is a high rainfall. Canterbury especially is one big irrigation area with dairying now so popular. that would rid excess water from a lot of underground facilities but i would be surprised to find any there. as for the nelson/bleinheim area it is just dry over summer and there will be more irrigation than you think. but of course there could still be a secret base

i visited this site for a job interview and the three circles are center pivot irrigation sprinklers. the intake will most probably be used to provide water to the irrigation sprinklers