By Gavin Forrest, Federated Farmers GM Policy & Advocacy Let’s be clear up front – it was hard and sound policy work and persistent advocacy that won the day on sensible and practical winter grazing rules, not howls of protests or tooting horns. The decision to withdraw and review the winter grazing requirements was made […]
Farm artist residency promotes agriculture and art link
Next-gen farmers and advocates for forward-thinking farming practices, Richard and Laura Morrison, are making waves in the nation’s art scene. They’ve secured renowned artist Andrew McLeod for a first-of-its-kind artist residency housed on their family farm, The Gullies. The couple are keen on fostering more positive and diverse conversations around farming, arts and the environment […]
Don’t be so quick to chop down forestry option
By Bert Hughes RMNZIF CEO & Forestry Director, Forest Enterprises OPINION: I’m a rural person, working the land, growing crops. Not a farmer, a forester. I take a lot of stick about forestry from my neighbours, much of it good natured and I give back as well. However, the rural and primary industries have much […]
Economic Week – September 17
by Nick Clark, Manager General Policy Ancient history, big questions Economic activity was strong in the June quarter, even stronger than expected. But it’s nearly three months since its end and growth has since taken a hit. There are also plenty of questions on the outlook. Statistics NZ’s Gross Domestic Product for the June 2021 […]
Boosting local road funding heads in the right direction, Feds says
News that the government has shifted funding for local road maintenance back up a gear is heartening for rural families dismayed by potholed access and dilapidated bridges, Federated Farmers says. “What we need now is for district councils all over New Zealand to dedicate a significant portion of this increased funding to dealing with the […]
Farmers urged to enable staff to get vaccinations
Farmers should do all they can to enable and encourage their staff to get their COVID vaccinations, Federated Farmers employment spokesperson Chris Lewis says. “I know dairy farms are flat tack with calving and workforce shortages have never been worse. But there’s nothing more important than your family’s health, and that of your staff and […]
Feds: We need to step up water resilience resourcing and leadership
News that development work on the Wakamoekau Community Water Storage Scheme has been halted should be deeply troubling to every resident of Wairarapa, the region’s Federated Farmers President David Hayes says. “Water storage is critical to the future of our towns and rural hinterland, to employment, production and the health of our rivers and wider […]
Economic Week – September 3
by Nick Clark, Federated Farmers Manager General Policy Terms of trade back to record high Higher export prices in the June quarter pushed up the merchandise terms of trade, according to Statistics NZ’s International Trade Indexes. Export prices for goods rose 8.3% on the previous quarter, while import prices rose 4.8%. Stats NZ noted that […]
Farmers highlight folly of Water Services Bill catch-all
“With respect, please, please rethink this bill,” Ian and Barbara Stuart said in a letter to Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta. The owners of the Cable Bay Farm and holiday park in Nelson are among a stream of rural residents emailing and writing to the Minister to express dismay and puzzlement on why the Water […]
Feds disappointed with deadline extension refusal
Federated Farmers is extremely disappointed with Otago Regional Council’s outright rejection of a multi-party request for a two week extension for all submitters on the Council’s Regional Policy Statement (RPS) review in light of the Covid lockdown. “ORC chief executive Sarah Gardner – quite correctly – has told her staff that during the lockdown they […]