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Groundswell's Quit Paris campaign.
OPINION: Climate change is shaping up to be one of the major issues at next year's general election.
While National feels they have done enough for farmers by repealing unfair regulations piled on by the previous Labour government, methane reduction targets are becoming a thorn in the side of National, the main party in the coalition Government. More so, when the two junior coalition partners, ACT and NZ First, aren't warming up to the Paris climate agreement.
Adopted in 2015, the deal relies on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), where each country sets its own emission reduction targets and commits to actions to adapt to climate change impacts.
Farmers are making their views clear: scores of billboards are being ordered from Groundswell's website and going up on farms near state highways across the country. These farmers suspect that any target National sets will lead to, among other things, more productive sheep and beef land converted to forestry.
Groundswell leader Bryce McKenzie says National is getting irritated by their 'Quit Paris' campaign. But he says they are getting a sympathetic hearing from NZ First and ACT.
He expects both the smaller parties to make their positions clearer closer to the election.
NZ First has expressed reservations about the Paris Agreement, specifically questionung the clarity and achievability of its targets. ACT leader and deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has hinted they could make withdrawing NZ from the Paris Accord an ACT election promise next year.
For National, the dilemma is two-fold: Firstly, the rural-urban divide, where many urban voters want to see action on climate change and leaving the Paris deal could alienate voters. Secondly, within the farming community, there's a growing number of voters who want NZ out of the Paris Agreement, just like the US has done under Donald Trump's presidency.
The Government has secured the backing of industry-good organisations, who are calling for NZ to stick with the Paris deal, but it's the farmer votes that will count come election day next year.
A new nationwide survey shows New Zealanders expect farmers and food producers to play a leading role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but also gave them higher marks than most industries for their current efforts.
OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery finally roars to life.
If voters see some growth and wages rising faster than prices, the government could say they've "fixed" things as they ride into the next election.
Back here on Earth though, the economy they inherited is a basket case, and the long-term headwinds are fierce.
Political commentator Liam Hehir says, "dreams are not plans" and if the turnaround doesn't come in time, National may have no choice but to go negative.
"Everybody wants to fight on the economy if they can. But when neither side has a compelling story, the contest shifts to other issues. That's not new. In fact, it's the stuff of politics everywhere, always."
OPINION: We are endlessly told that livestock are responsible for half of New Zealand's total emissions.
OPINION: For most farmers and readers, the term Sustainable Finance Taxonomy will make little sense.
Groundswell is ramping up its 'Quit Paris' campaign with signs going up all over the country.
Fonterra has unveiled the first refrigerated electric truck to deliver dairy products across Auckland.
Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.
Virtual fencing and pasture management company Halter says its NZ operations has delivered a profit of $2.8 million after exclusion of notional items.
Manuka honey trader Comvita slumped to a $104 million net loss last financial year, reflecting prolonged market disruption, oversupply and pricing volatility.
The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
