Contribution from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Until recently, Aotearoa New Zealand was one of the few countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) which did not have a consistent regulatory dam safety framework. In May 2022, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) announced the new Building (Dam […]
Health and Safety
Revisiting the great exploding trousers epidemic of the 1930s
By Laura Williamson, editor/co-founder of 1964: mountain culture/Aotearoa It was strange behaviour for a “quite respectable garment”, according to the Hutt News, “Not long ago, in a country township, a man’s pair of trousers exploded with a loud report.” Fortunately, he wasn’t wearing them at the time and was able to throw the offending pants […]
Andrew wraps the week
No time to watch? listen here! https://bit.ly/3N6Z5cQ Andrew wraps the week that was, #FMG Winter, powercuts, 3 Waters and of course HWEN.
Coroner recommends tame deer warning after tragic death
Federated Farmers has agreed to a recommendation from Dunedin-based Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame that we send out information to members – particularly our lifestyle block members – about the dangers posed by domestic deer during the rutting season. The recommendation was included in the Coroner’s recently released findings into the sad death on 15 April 2020 […]
Past time to confront ‘call of nature’ on farm
When nature calls, it’s hard to ignore. If it’s the bladder, it’s easier for blokes. They can wander off behind a tree and add some moisture to the ground. But what if it’s the bowels? And what if it’s a woman and she’s having her period? What if she’s suffering from endometriosis? Federated Farmers Vice-President […]
AgRecovery to collect unwanted agrichemicals in Canterbury
Canterbury farmers and growers are being urged to make use of a subsidised programme to return their unwanted or expired agrichemicals. Throughout June, Agrecovery will be running several chemical recovery events in the Canterbury region. With free or subsidised recovery and disposal of more than 3000 products, the programme provides the perfect opportunity to safely […]
Milk company fined $30,000 for selling raw milk illegally
Ministry for Primary Industries – Media Release A milk business has been fined $30,000 for not following the rules that regulate the supply and sale of raw milk. Following a successful prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS), Manakau-based MannaMilk owner John Albert Martin (78) was today sentenced in the Levin District Court, Horowhenua. Mr […]
Direct contact not needed for serious electrocution risk
If you own an irrigation plant remember the need to take extreme care with booms and tall equipment near power lines. In February 2018, a pivot irrigator in Waimate was being commissioned near a 110 kV Transpower overhead transmission line. The irrigator was moved around 7am by the farmer, who was unaware that part of […]
Pulling out the stops on proposed drinking water rules
By Nigel Billings, Federated Farmers Senior Policy Advisor When the Water Services Bill first appeared in early 2021 alarm bells rang loudly at Federated Farmers. The Bill proposed that all suppliers of drinking water to domestic dwellings, excepting those that just supply themselves, would in future be classified and their water supply regulated. Suppliers would […]
Rural water proposals costly, overly-bureaucratic
Same supply for 50 years for stock, two households and other farm buildings and now I need a “Water Safety Plan”? What are these people smoking!! Family farm six generations – no problems with water. Seems to be overly bureaucratic and will have no practical use but will obviously cost the landowner. There is not […]