For rural communities struggling with pothole-riddled roads, run-down bridges and never-ending slips, their challenge to the new Government is ‘show us the money’. “Farmers recognise the Government have a huge […]
Infrastructure
Re-fencing a godsend for cyclone-hit farmers
When Cyclone Gabrielle blew through, it destroyed more than 16km of fencing on Warren Milligan’s farm in Te Karaka, just inland from Gisborne. He’d worked hard to fence the river […]
Feds give National Party water storage announcement a ‘big tick’
Today’s announcement from the National Party on water storage is exactly what farmers have been crying out for so we’re giving the policy the big tick of approval, Federated Farmers […]
Feds digs deep for farmers on rates
By Nigel Billings, Senior Policy Advisor Advocating for farmers on rates is not easy work, but every year Federated Farmers has a crack at local council plans and budgets. This […]
Cross-party commitment needed on infrastructure deficit
Simon Edwards Long-term, integrated planning and a bipartisan commitment to the agreed way forward is crucial if New Zealand is to make meaningful headway on our infrastructure deficit, Waka Kotahi […]
Feds unanimous that action overdue on road maintenance shortfall
A call for the current and future government to place much higher priority on rural road maintenance won unanimous support from the Federated Farmers National Council. The remit, from the […]
Fine print overrides common understanding in insurance cover
AMP’s refusal (actually SunCorp via Vero) to pay out on insurance cover for storm damage to farm culverts shows the importance of reading your detailed policy document. The following case […]
Commission probes rural internet non-performance
For the last five years the annual Federated Farmers Rural Connectivity Survey has highlighted the plight of rural families and businesses struggling with patchy, slow and sometimes non-existent internet and […]
5G deal is a bonus for rural areas
Contracts the government has settled with the nation’s three biggest telecommunications players to roll out 5G to regional towns is good news for rural communities. Digital Economy and Communications Minister […]
Tree trimming proposals have ETS implications for farmers
By Hamish Barwick Proposals by MBIE to increase minimum clearance distances for trees on farmland near overhead lines and poles would have Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) implications for some farmers, […]