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Federated Farmers has paid tribute to David Shearer, who this afternoon resigned as the Labour leader.
Feds president Bruce Wills says it is saddened to hear about Shearer's departure.
The Feds enjoyed a very good working relationship with Shearer, he says.
"The first external board David Shearer met with, on becoming Labour leader, was Federated Farmers," he says.
Shearer was also the after-dinner speaker at Federated Farmers National Awards in Auckland last year. Several weeks ago, Wills launched the Feds' 2013 Local Government Manifesto with him on the steps of Parliament.
"Being an apolitical body, Federated Farmers will work constructively with whoever is elected as the new Labour leader. A leadership change presents Labour with an opportunity to review its current policies.
"We hope the new leader will share Federated Farmers outlook that building off our primary industries is a huge opportunity for New Zealand; domestically and internationally.
"Federated Farmers will work positively with the new Labour leader on policies that advance New Zealand as a dynamic, progressive and outwards facing nation," says Wills.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.
Federated Farmers says climate protest group Greenpeace is manufacturing outrage and attempting to scare New Zealanders with headlines that have no basis in science.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
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