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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."
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.
For the first time in a quarter of a century, Federated Farmers has something positive to say about the Labour Party’s climate change policy leading into a general election.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.
Will a stronger, more coordinated voice help rebuild confidence and improve returns in the wool sector?
New Plymouth-based Manuka honey exporter Egmont Honey has completed its acquisition of Taihape beekeeping business Tweeddale's Honey, with settlement finalised on Friday, 18 September.
Westpac NZ is calling on farmers and growers to start preparing now for the possibility of a dry summer, as likely El Niño conditions raise the risk of drought across parts of the country.
Fonterra Co-operative Group has confirmed the independently assessed candidates standing for election to its board in 2026.
Fonterra has revised its Farmgate Milk Price forecast for the 2026/27 season, lifting the midpoint and narrowing the range on the back of improving global dairy commodity prices.
New Zealand's citrus growers were challenged to build their future on the value embedded in their fruit rather than the volume they produce, at Citrus New Zealand's annual gathering in Gisborne on 17 September.
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