Budget 2026: Slim Pickings For the Rural Sector
In advance of the Budget, Finance Minister Nicola Willis put a clear damper on expectations and delivered accordingly.
Full credit to the Inland Revenue Department for telling people to look after themselves and their families first and foremost, rather than worrying about not meeting their tax obligations.
That's the message from Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston.
"Well done to IRD for waiving use of money interest when a person is prevented from paying on time as a result of the recent earthquakes.”
The waiver applies to all late tax payments and will run through to the end of January.
"It’s also great that IRD has announced discretions on income equalisation for farmers and fishers who are significantly affected by the earthquakes. Farmers should talk to their accountants on how to access this relief,” says Rolleston
"These tax initiatives along with other support measures announced by the Government will give quake affected people, including farmers, some much needed piece of mind.”
In advance of the Budget, Finance Minister Nicola Willis put a clear damper on expectations and delivered accordingly.
Farmers should be cautiously optimistic as the 2026/27 season kicks off, says DairyNZ.
RaboResearch senior analyst Emma Higgins expects the 2026/27 dairy season to be another profitable one.
The new dairy season is kicking off with plenty of risks to the forecast farmgate price, both upside and downside, says ANZ agricultural economist Matt Dilly.
A potential showdown between the top two Federated Farmers leaders looms at the farmer lobby's annual meeting later this month.
FarmIQ Systems has developed a free land management app to help remove barriers to New Zealand farmers and growers adopting digital tools.

OPINION: While we're on the topic of lumberjacks, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has no doubt used a chainsaw hundreds of…
OPINION: To a chorus of crying greenies, and not a minute too soon, the Government has moved to put the…