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FEDERATED FARMERS says it welcomes exemption of farm buildings from the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill but remains concerned about the bill's implications for rural service towns.
"We believe there needs to be a lot more work to model the effect of an earthquake on the types of streetscape found in provincial centres," says new Feds' vice president, Anders Crofoot.
"Even then there needs to be a social and economic decision to balance a pure safety approach with a degree of pragmatism."
A focus on parapets, verandahs and removing at-risk items could greatly boost safety with minimal social and financial cost, he suggests.
"It is hard to disagree with the Property Council of New Zealand, which believes the bill could work, but only if earthquake strengthening is made tax deductible, qualifying for depreciation."
Feds says with an estimated 250,000 farm buildings in New Zealand, just assessing against earthquake standards could cost farmers collectively $170 million.
Federated Farmers is celebrating following the Government's announcement that young farmers will be able to use their KiwiSaver funds to buy their first home or farm.
OPINION: The euphoria over the Government’s two new bills to replace the broken Resource Management Act is over.
Canterbury arable farmers are down by tens of millions of dollars after a rollercoaster of wild changeable January weather saw harvests delayed and some crops destroyed by violent hailstorms.
OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.
Sheep and beef farmers in Hawke's Bay are being urged to keep a close eye on the wells that supply water to their stock.
Donald Trump's latest tariff tantrum has again thrown the world of trade into a new round of turmoil and uncertainty, and NZ is caught up in it.
The third edition of the NZ Dairy Expo, held in mid-February in Matamata, has shown that the KISS principle (keep it simple stupid) was getting a positive response from exhibitors and visitors alike.
Twenty years ago, South African dairy farm manager Louis Vandenberg was sent to a farm in Waikato to provide training on Afimilk technology.
Strong farmgate milk price is helping boost investment on farms, says PGG Wrightson chief executive Stephen Guerin.
Fonterra's 460 milk suppliers in Australia, who will switch to Lactalis end of this month, are unfazed with the impending change.
The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust has launched a collection of affordable recipes designed to turn everyday vegetables into seasonal stars.
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OPINION: If old Winston Peters thinks building trade relations with new nations, such as India, isn't a necessary investment in…
