94% of NZ farmers oppose Paris Agreement, survey shows
A survey of 2000 farmers shows 94% of respondents believe that remaining in the Paris Agreement for climate change is not in the country's best interest.
Groundswell NZ organisers say a lack of response from the Government has led it to plan another major nationwide protest event later in the year.
It says while a date in November is yet to be set, the expectation is the next protest action will be of a "scale and impact that will be significant in New Zealand's history".
Spokesman Bryce McKenzie says there is widespread concern among both rural and urban people, councils and the business sector about the direction the Government is taking our country and the tsunami of unworkable regulations being rammed through.
McKenzie says in the lead up to November's nationwide protest, several actions will be undertaken.
The first is for the next three Fridays at 12.30pm, under the banner "CAN YOU HEAR US", Groundswell is calling for 2 minutes of support by every car, bike, truck, train - anything with a horn - tooting in support of its campaign.
The group is also writing to all councils around NZ calling for a halt to all RMA planning processes. In tandem with writing to councils, Groundswell NZ is calling for all landowners to decline access for councils or their agents wanting to undertake mapping or information gathering on private land.
"We are not against the need for regulation or the need to care for the environment," McKenzie says. "Nor are we calling for a halt to addressing environmental issues. We are saying there are much better, proven solutions to addressing environmental issues than the one-size-fits-all approach being legislated by the Government."
He adds that the group has recently added the Three Waters reform and the Water Services Bill to its growing list of unworkable regulations.
A New Zealand-first native tree study has highlighted the Bioeconomy Science Institute's position as a forestry research leader.
Hemp fibre processor Rubisco is relocating its core processing facility to Ashburton as part of a $20-$30 million expansion to leverage what it says is an accelerating global demand for sustainable and renewable fibres.
Tradition meets some of the latest in technology at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
OPINION: Trade Minister Todd McClay and the trade negotiator in government have presented Kiwis with an amazing gift for 2026 - a long awaited and critical free trade deal with India.
Former Agriculture Minister Nathan Guy says he's excited about his new role as NZ's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy.
A pillar of New Zealand's horticultural industry, Dr Stuart Davis, was farewelled at a well-attended funeral service in Tuakau, South Auckland, on December 18.