The 2022 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition to select the top Māori sheep and beef farm is back on track after having been postponed earlier in the year due to Covid-19 risk. Judging of the entrants in this competition resumes in May, as well as the judging for the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award which is run […]
It’s not rocket science – it’s farming
by Leigh Catley, Federated Farmers Communications Manager A new book written by a retired British scientist takes a close look at the way Federated Farmers has shaped New Zealand’s agricultural and economic policy for more than 75 years. In 2019 David Hall walked into the Wellington office of Federated Farmers to ask if it was […]
Good news to wake up to for farmers and growers
The early morning signing of a free trade deal between the United Kingdom and New Zealand means farmers and growers can wake up with a smile this morning. Federated Farmers national president and trade spokesperson Andrew Hoggard says with the world the way it is right now, this trade deal gives us reason to be […]
Phase Two – what does it mean for your farm?
So we are here in “Phase Two’ of the government’s plan to fight back against Omicron, and it’s time to familiarise yourself with what this will mean for how you run your farm. Federated Farmers National board member and adverse events spokesperson Chris Lewis is keen to see all farmers and lifestyle block owners use […]
Road toll a wakeup call
A month ago, I wrote a blog expressing our concerns about road safety in an environment where people are tired, angry, and have been locked up for months. Covid-19 is definitely taking its toll on the nation’s mental health and the quality of driving. At that time, on 10 November, the New Zealand road toll […]
A missed opportunity for real climate leadership
Federated Farmers believes the government could work much harder at getting other countries to embrace the latest climate science and to take a ‘split gas approach’ to emissions reduction. “This is what New Zealand should be talking about at COP26 this week,” Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says. Yesterday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Climate […]
Benefits all round in NZ-UK Free Trade Deal
Federated Farmers says today’s announcement of a free trade deal between the United Kingdom and New Zealand is great news for consumers and farmers in both countries. “The United Kingdom is walking the talk when it comes to promising a truly global Britain,” Federated Farmers National President Andrew Hoggard says. “We congratulate the New Zealand […]
Feds asks farmers to get vaccinated
Federated Farmers is calling on farmers and growers to remember the critical link between vaccination rates and maintaining growth in the New Zealand economy. Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says Feds has taken a little bit of stick from a handful of members about the organsiation’s promotion of the need for as many people as possible to get vaccinated. “We got told to ‘stay in our lane’ and to stop […]
Helping Feds tick faster, louder, stronger
By Leigh Catley Within weeks of starting his new role as Federated Farmers’ chief executive three years ago Terry Copeland knew he was going to have a serious strategic development challenge on his hands. Terry came to Feds from the top job at New Zealand Young Farmers, so he understood the forces that weigh on […]
Feds’ worst fears realised on drinking water reforms
Federated Farmers is profoundly disappointed to see the Water Services Bill reported back to the Parliament with the definition of a “water supplier” unchanged. “The government has now signed itself up for the enormous task of tracking down every single source of drinking water in the land and making them belong to a register if […]