Don't Sell Yourself Short On Insurance
Ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive and up to date because as a rural contractor you don’t know what’s around the corner.
New Zealand owned rural insurer FMG has announced an after tax profit of $26.7 million – its sixth consecutive profit.
“This has been another successful year for FMG,” says chief executive Chris Black. “Making a profit and increasing reserves each year supports our growth model and puts us in a strong position to be there for clients when the unexpected happens. Our reserves are currently more than double the minimum required by the Reserve Bank of NZ.”
Black says the result enables the company to keep premium increases to a minimum.
FMG’s pre-tax profit was underpinned by an underwriting result of $7.9m and investment income of about $23m. It increased its share of the overall insurance market to almost 5% and the rural insurance market to 42%.
Blacks says because FMG is mutual, it has a higher sense of accountability in giving back to the rural community.
“We do this in many ways including risk-advice service and sponsorships… graduate programmes and scholarships.
“In 2015 we partnered with the Mental Health Foundation to launch Farmstrong, a non-commercial rural wellness programme based on farmer insights and research to support farmers and growers on ways to ‘live well and farm well’. This initiative is different and timely.”
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
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.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…