increase font size
Bill English.
Federated Farmers congratulates outgoing Prime Minister John Key after eight years leading the country, and looks forward to working with Bill English in the top job.
"John Key has been an outstanding Prime Minister and ambassador for our country.
"During his time in office he has overseen some profound challenges and changes," Federated Farmers President Dr William Rolleston says.
"These are tough shoes to fill, but we are certainly happy to back Bill English and expect he will continue to lead the Government in the positive way John Key has always done."
Federated Farmers is pleased to see a farmer back in charge of the country, after 20 years, and hopes that he will lead with the pragmatism farmers are so well known for.
The challenge for English and his new team will be to live up to the expectations the nation has, particularly in terms of sound financial and economic management.
"This has been the cornerstone of the Key administration, and while New Zealand’s primary sector needs this to remain the government’s priority, we also need the government to stick to evidence-based policy.
"It needs to avoid popularism if it is to tackle contentious but important issues such as superannuation and the environment. Only then will it be able to say it has truly benefitted the country," Dr Rolleston says.
"The Government must stay focused on the importance of the primary sector to New Zealand. It’s the engine room of our economy and it supports our nation’s high standard of living."
OPINION: Bouquets this week from the old mutt for Fed Farmers and Groundswell for continuing to resist the proposed Gore District plan and its intention to apply costly "cultural values" across the district and a raft of land classifications that are unworkable and counterproductive.
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.
Taupiri farmer Chris Woolerton is tipped to take over as Federated Farmers Waikato president from next week.
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
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.
Finding and supporting ‘champion farmers’ – or top-quality farmers - is one of best ways of getting other farmers to take the appropriate measures to mitigate environmental issues, according to a leading Irish scientist Dr Mary Ryan.
Zespri has unveiled Grown for Good, a refreshed global brand platform, in an effort to reinforce the company's commitment to nutrition and creating value across the kiwifruit industry.
For the first time in more than 30 years the Government has set a new set of radical priorities for the science it funds - including agriculture.
The Labour Party has announced it will support New Zealand's free trade agreement (FTA) with India.
OPINION: Political parties in New Zealand have a long history of supporting free trade agreements together.
New Zealand's high country farmers could soon gain greater flexibility to diversify their land use as the new Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill is introduced to Parliament.
OPINION: When Donald Trump returned to the White House, many people with half a brain could see the results for…
OPINION: Media trust has tanked because of what media's more woke members do and say.
