Tuesday, 04 June 2024 11:55

Politicians, farmers tussle raises $300k

Written by  Staff Reporters
The rugby and netball games, organised by Federated Farmers, were played at the famous Ngatapa Sports Club in memory of the late Parekura Horomia. The rugby and netball games, organised by Federated Farmers, were played at the famous Ngatapa Sports Club in memory of the late Parekura Horomia.

Farmers and politicians clashed on the sports field in Gisborne recently and helped raise $300,000 for Cyclone Gabrielle victims.

The rugby and netball games, organised by Federated Farmers, were played at the famous Ngatapa Sports Club in memory of the late Parekura Horomia. Funds raised will go directly to local farmers still refencing their properties and recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle.

One of the event organisers, Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams, says the event “was the very best of rural New Zealand”.

“The sun was shining, the whole community turned up and helped out, and we raised a huge sum of money for a great cause.”

The event raised almost $300,000 in cash donations and when you combine that with the value of the tractor we gave away and vouchers for the runners-up, there’s half a million dollars going into the local farming community,” Williams says.

The Federated Farmers rugby team lost 20-12 to the Parliamentary side in what was described as an incredibly competitive and physical game. But the farmers had their revenge on the netball court, beating the visiting Parliamentary side 33-16.

Williams says the rugby match wasn’t just a bunch of old boys and politicians running around the park.

“There were definitely a few ringins on the Parliamentary side, with bodyguards, security officers and former professional players all lining up and running the ball hard into contact. You’ve got to give it to the politicians though. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay is a pretty handy player in the backline, pulling off a man of the match performance.

“It turns out Todd’s not just quick to cut red tape for farmers. He’s pretty quick down the right wing too. Labour MP Peeni Henare was like a rampaging bull every time he got his hands on the ball, and former Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor was a real menace at the breakdown.”

More like this

Bye bye Paris?

OPINION: At its recent annual general meeting, Federated Farmers’ Auckland province called for New Zealand to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

What's going on?

OPINION: On the 2nd of May, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced that the 'government remains on track to ban full farm-to-forestry conversion'.

Featured

NZEI unhappy with funding cut for teachers

Education union NZEI Te Riu Roa says that while educators will support the Government’s investment in learning support, they’re likely to be disappointed that it has been paid for by defunding expert teachers.

EU regulations unfairly threaten $200m exports

A European Union regulation ensuring that the products its citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide threatens $200m of New Zealand beef and leather exports.

Bionic Plus back on vet clinic shelves

A long-acting, controlled- release capsule designed to protect ewes from internal parasites during the lambing period is back on the market following a comprehensive reassessment.

National

Machinery & Products

New Holland combines crack 50 years

New Holland is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the introduction its Twin Rotor threshing and separation technology, which has evolved…

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Double standards

OPINION: Imagine if the Hound had called the Minister of Finance the 'c-word' and accused her of "girl math".

Debt monster

OPINION: It's good news that Finance Minister Nicola Willis has slashed $1.1 billion from new spending, citing "a seismic global…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter