McClay urges patience on KiwiSaver for first-time farmers
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
National's spokesperson on agriculture, Todd McClay, has entered the debate on the Hawke's Bay crisis.
Speaking at a woolshed meeting with his boss, Christopher Luxon, McClay says there were a lot of upset and angry people in the region because of the delay in an announcement of long-term recovery plans.
He says it's hard on people who've lost their livelihoods and have no certainty in their lives.
"The Government has made a big promise to Hawke's Bay to get this sorted out quickly. I am hearing that people are concerned, disappointed, disillusioned and extremely depressed at the lack of action."
McClay says he intends to approach Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor to see if there can be a bipartisan approach to the recovery.
O'Connor says there has never been a political approach to the recovery but is happy to meet with McClay or any other politician.
"The door is always open for any good ideas from National - if they have any," he says.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
A leading financial and banking advisor says he doubts if most dairy farmers fully understand the dynamics of banking.
Dairy farmers are shoring up their balance sheets, with almost $1.7 billion of debt repaid in the six months to March 2025.
Virtual fencing company Halter is going global but for founder Craig Piggott, New Zealand farmers will always remain their main partners.
A former Fonterra executive is the new chair of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.