increase font size
Andrew Hoggard.
Federated Farmers has a new national board, elected today at its annual meeting.
Manawatu farmer Andrew Hoggard is the new president, replacing Katie Milne who stepped down after three years in the role. Milne was Feds’ first female president.
Feds chief executive Terry Copeland is confident the newly-elected national board encompasses the depth of experience and expertise needed to maintain the organisation’s role as an effective voice for all farmers.
"Feds has been a grass roots-driven organisation for all of its 120 years and the elected leaders of our 24 provinces and our six industry groups have chosen high-calibre and committed people to sit at our top table," Copeland says.
Hoggard served as vice president for the three-year term.
Copeland says Hoggard has proved himself as an energetic and able representative, especially in his roles as spokesperson on climate change, commerce and connectivity.
Wairarapa farmer Karen Williams, who has a background in resource management and environmental planning, finishes her term as Arable industry group chair and takes on the vice-president role. The new arable chair is South Canterbury’s Colin Hurst, the 2019 ‘Arable Farmer of the Year’.
New blood on the national board includes Golden Bay Provincial president and ‘YOLO Farmer’ Wayne Langford, who has just taken up the reins as dairy industry group chair, and Wairarapa provincial president William Beetham, who is the new meat & wool industry group chair.
For the two board ‘at large’ positions, the provincial delegates have voted to retain the knowledge and experience of the two Chris’s - Waikato’s Chris Lewis, who finishes his term as dairy chair, and Canterbury’s Chris Allen, who has been integral to Federated Farmers’ advocacy on complicated water and biodiversity issues over the last three years.
Hoggard says the outgoing president, Katie Milne, had set a high standard.
"They’re big gumboots to fill. She brought her own style to the role and made it a priority to increase the level of understanding between urban and rural New Zealand.
"I want to continue that work, and also the advocacy we’ve been doing with central and local government politicians and officials on getting them to recognise that policies and regulations need to achieve a balance between protecting the environment and preserving livelihoods, always keeping practicality and cost-effectiveness in mind."
Hoggard also thanked retiring board members Miles Anderson (Meat & Wool) and Andrew Maclean (at large) for their hard work and dedication.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
OPINION: Well, the silly season is upon us and all us politicians are running around shaking babies and kissing hands, or maybe the other way around.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.
