increase font size
There's less than three months to go before the local body elections.
OPINION: In less than three months New Zealanders will vote in the local government election.
With sweeping changes facing local government, and the very existence of some councils under threat, farmers are being urged to step up their interest in the election campaign this year.
Federated Farmers has released its local government election platform. Unsurprisingly the Three Waters juggernaut features prominently.
The rural roading network is also a crucial and often contentious area for farmers and their councils. Roading is by far the most important council activity for the farming community, and poor and deteriorating roads are one of the main concerns farmers have with the performance of their councils.
Council rating is another big issue for farmers.
Land and capital value rates tend to allocate a major share of the cost of council activities and services to a minor subset of the population - the owners of higher value property.
The Feds say that its advocacy on behalf of farmers shows rates regularly above $20,000 for average farming units, many on poor local roads or state highways, and some distance from many rates funded facilities and services.
This situation continues to worsen and is the biggest of all the stumbling blocks in terms of a positive relationship between councils and their farming communities.
Farmers believe there are, however, effective and positive ways that the system of property value rates can be adjusted locally to balance the contributions made by farmers compared to other ratepayers.
On Three Waters, Federated Farmers accepts the need for change to the way Three Waters infrastructure and services are delivered but remain unconvinced that the Government's compulsory mega model is the way to go. There is too much uncertainty and too many unanswered question.
So, farmers are calling for rural leaders with commitment, practical common sense and energy to consider standing for election.
It also wants all rural residents to put searching questions to those who would represent them in local government.
The local Government election on October 8 provides rural dwellers a chance to be daring.
Talk up core services, talk down wasteful, feel-good expenditure and big rates increases, and support farmers in these challenging times.
As the Feds say, fight for the right of local communities, not Wellington, to decide on how their local democracy functions.
A rare weather double-whammy has seen many South Island farmers having to deal with unseasonal snow while still cut off from power supplies after an unprecedented windstorm.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Federated Farmers say Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a 'nitrate emergency' is a shameless political stunt that won't help anyone.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.
Going one better than a frustratingly close second place finish at last year's event, the country's top axeman, Jack Jordan of Taumaranui, last weekend won the Stihl Timbersports World Championship individual event in.
Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show president Brent Chamberlain says a big development for this year is the Wool Zone, first introduced two years ago as a showplace for everything produced from wool, but now greatly enlarged with its own Wool Marquee and more than 30 trade sites.
Salmonellosis is a serious disease in cattle.
