Federated Farmers hails rural banking report
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay spoke at the Federated Farmers 'Restoring Farmer Confidence' tour meeting at Mystery Creek, Hamilton last month. Here's what he said:
Farmers and rural communities are the backbone of New Zealand's economy. Over the past year, the Government has delivered practical reforms to reduce costs, cut red tape, provide certainty, and get Wellington out of farming. With 80% of all the goods exports coming from the primary sector and more than 359,000 Kiwis employed because of rural activity, farming, forestry, and horticulture remains a mainstay of NZ economic activity.
The Government's ambitious target of doubling exports by value over ten years is an opportunity to work with the primary sector to add value and deliver greater returns at the farm gate.
The Government has huge respect for our world leading farmers, growers, fishers and foresters. We will continue to partner with them to produce the high-quality, safe food and fibre international market's demand.
Our agricultural team - comprising myself, Biosecurity, Food Safety and Associate Minister responsible for Animal Welfare Andrew Hoggard, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson and Associate Minister responsible for Horticulture Nicola Grigg, are working hard to deliver for the primary sector.
The Government has acted decisively to reduce burdens on the primary sector, including:
The Government is committed to providing clarity on emissions, with actions including:
We're taking balanced steps to improve environmental outcomes, such as:
To support our rural areas, the Government has:
Looking ahead, we are fixing freshwater rules and the RMA to give farmers more certainty. Key initiatives include:
This Government trusts farmers to deliver for New Zealand. We will continue to partner with them to ensure rural communities are supported, costs are reduced, and opportunities for growth are maximised.
Fonterra has unveiled the first refrigerated electric truck to deliver dairy products across Auckland.
Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.
Virtual fencing and pasture management company Halter says its NZ operations has delivered a profit of $2.8 million after exclusion of notional items.
Manuka honey trader Comvita slumped to a $104 million net loss last financial year, reflecting prolonged market disruption, oversupply and pricing volatility.
The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery…
OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.