Election 2026: Former Federated Farmers President Named National Party Candidate
Katie Milne, former Federated Farmers president, has been announced as the National Party’s candidate for the West Coast-Tasman electorate.
A webcam image taken this morning of Milford Road on SH94. Photo: NZTA Otago/Southland @NZTAOS on Twitter.
Significant rainfall battered parts of the South Island overnight, prompting some farmers to share videos on social media.
The rainfall was especially heavy overnight in Westland, causing power disruptions and forcing some roads to close, reports West Coast Emergency Management.
The New Zealand Transport Agency Otago/Southland @NZTAOS also reports heavy rain in Fiordland, with Milford Road on SH94 now closed.
UPDATE: 9:00 AM
— NZTA Otago/Southland (@NZTAOS) February 2, 2020
SH94 Milford Rd is expected to remain CLOSED until Tuesday as heavy rain is not expected to ease, An update is expected at 1 pm. ^JPhttps://t.co/3e7GuGJNGd pic.twitter.com/zMoydncBQb
An up-to-date report of road closures can be found here.
The bad weather is set to continue, with MetService issuing a heavy rain warning for Westland, Fiordland, Southland and Clutha, and parts of Canterbury and Otago.
Some farmers have shared the extent of the rain on Twitter.
In one video, Southland farmer Bruce @fairleigh_ag reveals a large pond that developed on his farm within just one hour.
She's a bit #moist pic.twitter.com/u9kHgAEk1j
— ?? Bruce ?? (@fairleigh_ag) February 2, 2020
In another one, West Coast farmer and Federated Farmers president, Katie Milne @ktmilne6 reveals the high humidity the region is experiencing from the rain.
— Katie Milne (@ktmilne6) February 2, 2020
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.

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