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FEDERATED FARMERS' election manifesto released last week is a refreshing change from the past and reflects the more professional approach to lobbying by Bruce Wills and his new board members.
The manifesto is in effect the Feds policy agenda and it contains no great surprises. The top three issues they want traction on by the political parties are water management, rural broadband and science and innovation. All three are future focused and the benefits of winning political support on these three issues alone will be good for farmers and the country as a whole.
What is unusual about this manifesto is that the language used is conciliatory and inclusive and is a far cry from the tub thumping, demanding, whinging style of Federated Farmers in the past. The new board headed by Bruce Wills has not walked away from issues which deeply concern farmers such as NAIT, the ETS and biosecurity. Reform of the RMA and local government also feature. So does employment and high country issues and there's even a call for recognition of bees.
The tenor of the document indicates a desire by the Feds to work with central and local government as well as the community to get solutions to issues, such as water, which are complex and difficult. There isn't a lot in the document specifically about dairying, but it is there under other headings such as water and biodiversity.
One item that strikes a chord is a move by the Feds to encourage more young people into agriculture. There are great jobs in the ag sector, but sadly huge numbers of young people prefer media studies to a qualification that will lead to a real job in the real world of agriculture.
The manifesto is a comprehensive document. All politicians should take the time to read it, as should members of the federation and even those who are not.
At long last the federation is beginning to look professional with a positive, solution- and future-focused document which must be taken seriously in Wellington. As wish lists go, this is pretty good. – Peter Burke
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
