Rural Lobby Groups Seek Clear Election Positions On Farming And Emissions
Centre right parties are backing policy positions pushed by three farmer lobby groups ahead of the general election.
OPINION: Environment Minister David Parker, likely in the final weeks of the job, remains hell-bent on burning bridges with farmers.
Parker, who has never been a favourite of the farming sector, recently labelled members of rural ginger group Groundswell NZ as “dinosaurs”.
The group was founded in 2020 by farmers Bryce McKenzie and Laurie Patterson in response to a series of regulations the group says are “unworkable”. It has built up a reputation standing up to the Government where industry-good organisations have failed.
Parker’s recent outburst is understandable. With Labour on the ropes and Groundswell urging rural voters not to vote Labour, Parker knows that rural voters who backed Jacinda Ardern in 2021 are on the move again.
Amber Davy has won the 2026 Canterbury Young Grower regional title.
Carey Pawson-Edwards, a South Canterbury stock manager, has been named the winner of the 2026 Rabobank Management Project Award.
Nominations are now open for two directorships on the Ravensdown Board and will close at 5pm, Friday 24 July 2026.
AMINZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have partnered to develop a new Farm Debt Mediation video series aimed at farmers, creditors, and advisors.
Taranaki is preparing to welcome the country’s top young farmers for one of rural New Zealand’s most anticipated events.
Horticulture New Zealand’s Board has welcomed the re-election of grower-elected directors Alistair Petrie and Doug Brown.
OPINION: No one messes around with Winston Peters, more so in a general election year.
OPINION: Staying on Federated Farmers, this week's annual general meeting in Auckland is shaping up to be an interesting one.