Tag: federated_farmers
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Rural Mobile Coverage Going Backwards Since 3G Shutdown, Farmers Say
Federated Farmers survey of nearly 650 farmers finds half of farms have mobile coverage on less than half their property, with many unable to reliably reach 111.
BusinessScience & TechnologyAgricultureComputers and InternetSocial IssuesEmployment and Labor Federated FarmersMark Hooper3G shutdownrural mobile coverageRural Connectivity Surveyemergency servicesfarmingelection
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Labour Pushes Cost of Living Plan as National and ACT Accuse It of Rewriting History
Labour says a typical Auckland family with two children pays $6,302 more a year under National, while National says Labour's $18 billion of unfunded promises would cost households $2,263 a year in extra tax.
Politics and GovernmentEconomyOther PartiesLabour PartyElectionGeneral PoliticsFinancial MarketsSocial IssuesTransportationEmployment and LaborEnergyEducationAgricultureHealth David SeymourACT New Zealandcost of livinginflationReserve BankKiwiSaverSimeon BrownNew Zealand National PartyNew Zealand Labour PartyOfficial Cash RateFamilyBoostNZ National PartyKieran McAnultyChristopher LuxonNational Partyelection campaignAucklandprescription chargesChris HipkinsWinston Peterspublic transport faresCost of Living Action PlanMedicardfuel taxschool lunchesFederated Farmersrural school busesGreg Andersonfarmingfuel tax freeze
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National Pledges $300m in Loans for Water Storage and $10m Fertiliser Fund
Federated Farmers welcomes the water storage scheme, saying early government support is needed to get projects past consenting, construction risk and finance hurdles.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsElectionAgricultureTradeEnvironmentEconomy New Zealand National PartyTodd McClayMike Butterickwater storagefertiliser securityirrigationNew Zealand agricultureNZ National PartyFederated FarmersColin HurstRichard DawkinsNational PartyCanterburyfarming
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Federated Farmers Back National's Electrify NZ 2.0, Citing Energy Costs
Federated Farmers endorse National's Electrify NZ 2.0, saying energy is a major election concern for farmers who want simpler rules to sell solar power to any buyer.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnergyElectionAgricultureEnvironment Federated FarmersElectrify NZ 2.0Greg Andersonsolar energyrenewable energyenergy policyfarming
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Federated Farmers Calls for 10 National Farming Standards
Federated Farmers urges political parties to back 10 national farming standards after ACT announces policy, saying consistent rules would cut red tape and the cost of food.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAgricultureElectionEnvironmentOther Parties Federated FarmersACTAndrew HoggardColin Hurstnational farming standardsNew Zealand agriculturefreshwater limitsfarming
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New Farm Safety Codes Give Farmers Clarity, Federated Farmers Says
Federated Farmers welcomes two new Approved Codes of Practice on agricultural roles and responsibilities and safe farm vehicle operation, launched by Minister Brooke van Velden and effective 1 April 2027.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAgricultureEmployment and LaborLegalFederal Government Federated FarmersBrooke van VeldenGreg AndersonApproved Codes of Practicefarm safetyWorkSafeHealth and Safety at Work Act 2015farmingelection
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Central Otago Councillors Reject Sewage Sludge Plan for Lauder Farmland
Central Otago District Council drops a plan to spread treated human wastewater sludge on Lauder farmland after rural residents' anger, with ratepayer savings shrinking from $600,000 to $182,000.
Politics and GovernmentEnvironmentAgricultureState GovernmentsSocial Issues Federated FarmersCentral Otago District Councilsewage sludgeLauderManuherekia catchmentAnna GillespieCromwell wastewater treatment plantfarmingelection
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Federated Farmers Slams Plan to Spread Sewage Sludge on Otago Farmland
Central Otago District Council votes on trucking thousands of cubic metres of treated human effluent from Alexandra and Cromwell to Lauder farmland, drawing Federated Farmers' ire.
Politics and GovernmentEnvironmentAgricultureState GovernmentsSocial IssuesLegal Federated FarmersCentral Otago District Councilsewage sludgeLauderManuherekia catchmentAnna GillespieOtago Regional Councilfarmingelection
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Federated Farmers Welcomes Labour's Pledge to Review Sharemilking Agreements Act
Federated Farmers backs Labour's commitment to review and fix the 1937 Sharemilking Agreements Act, saying contract milkers lack the protections sharemilkers receive, and calls on other parties to follow suit.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAgricultureEmployment and LaborLegalLabour PartyGeneral Politics Federated FarmersSharemilking Agreements ActJo LuxtonSam EbbettBrendan Attrillcontract milkingNew Zealand dairy industryfarmingelection
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New Dairy Welfare Code Builds on New Zealand's Strong Reputation
Federated Farmers welcomes a revised dairy cattle welfare code with new calf feeding, transport and tethering standards, saying it lifts the bar on animal welfare.
BusinessAgricultureSocial IssuesEconomyEmployment and Labor Federated FarmersKarl DeanCode of Welfare: Dairy Cattledairy cattleanimal welfareNational Animal Welfare Advisory Committeefarmingelection
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Green Party Slams RMA Replacement Laws as 'New Era of Environmental Exploitation'
Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham says new laws replacing the RMA were copied from industry lobbying documents and will allow untold harm to human health and the environment.
Politics and GovernmentEnvironmentGeneral PoliticsOther PartiesClimate ChangeLegalElection Green PartyLan PhamRMA replacement lawsenvironmental lawFederated Farmers
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Federated Farmers Urges Government to Back Water Storage, Citing Tasmania Model
Federated Farmers wants seed funding, faster approvals and a national standard for water storage, pointing to Tasmania's coordinated approach and the Central Plains scheme's $400m GDP contribution.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnvironmentAgricultureEnergyEconomyClimate ChangeElection Federated Farmerswater storageRichard DawkinsTasmaniaCentral Plains irrigation schemeOpuha DamIrrigationNZfarming
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NZ Farmers in Strongest Position in a Decade, Farm Confidence Survey Shows
Federated Farmers' latest survey shows 72 per cent of farms profitable and record food and fibre exports forecast at $64.3 billion, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAgricultureTradeEconomyFederal Government Todd McClayFederated FarmersFarm Confidence SurveyNew Zealand agriculturefood and fibre exportsIndia FTAred tapeNew Zealand Government
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Federated Farmers Slams The Opportunity Party's Climate Policy as "Extreme Left-Wing"
Federated Farmers attacks The Opportunity Party's climate policy, calling it ideological and unaffordable, and criticising proposed methane reduction targets and a climate tax on farmers.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnvironmentGeneral PoliticsOther PartiesAgricultureClimate ChangeEconomy Federated FarmersThe Opportunity PartyRichard Dawkinsclimate change policymethane reduction targetHe Waka Eke NoaNew Zealand farmingfarmingelection
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Farmer Confidence High on Profit, Shaky on Year Ahead
Federated Farmers' July survey of 634 farms finds 72% turning a profit, the best in a decade, but nearly 30% expect conditions to worsen, with dairy and arable farmers most worried.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentAgricultureEconomyEmployment and LaborEnvironmentElection Federated FarmersColin Hurstfarmer confidence surveyNew Zealand agriculturedairy farmingarable farmingfarm profitabilityfarming
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Federated Farmers Backs Labour's Climate Policy Shift, Flags ETS Concerns
Federated Farmers welcomes Labour's decision not to tax farm emissions and its forestry rethink, a significant policy shift after 25 years. However, the organization raises concerns about wider Emissions Trading Scheme changes and Paris Agreement targets.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnvironmentGeneral PoliticsEconomyClimate ChangeAgricultureElection Federated FarmersLabour PartyEmissions Trading SchemeForestryAgricultural Emissionsfarming
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National Party Plan Aims to Cut Red Tape for Farmers on Gravel Extraction and Quarries
Federated Farmers welcomes the National Party's plan for national standards on river gravel extraction and on-farm quarries. This initiative aims to reduce costs and streamline processes for farmers, addressing key concerns raised in their 2026 Election Platform.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsNational PartyEconomyEnvironmentAgricultureElection Federated FarmersGravel ExtractionOn-farm QuarriesResource ConsentFarmingGovernment Policy
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Federated Farmers Urges Government to Halt Horizons Plan Change 2
Federated Farmers demands government intervention on Horizons Plan Change 2, citing an expensive, uncertain consenting process for dairy farmers and reliance on a flawed modelling tool.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentAgricultureEnvironmentLegal Federated FarmersHorizons Regional CouncilPlan Change 2Nitrogen DischargeOverseerResource Management Actfarmingelection
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Federated Farmers Slams ACT's Hunting Policy as "Missing the Mark"
Federated Farmers criticizes ACT's hunting policy to shift game animal management to the Game Animal Council, citing conflicts of interest and practical complexities. They advocate for a national feral browser strategy with broad stakeholder involvement.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEnvironmentAgricultureLegal Federated FarmersACT PartyHunting policyGame Animal CouncilPest managementConservation landfarmingelection
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Taranaki Feds Slam Councils Over 'Wasteful' $1.3M Reform Spend
Taranaki Federated Farmers accuse Taranaki Regional and New Plymouth District Councils of wasting $1.3 million on a local government reform program, ignoring rural opposition and failing to present a clear vision.
Politics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsState GovernmentsEconomyLegal TaranakiFederated FarmersLocal Government ReformNew Plymouth District CouncilTaranaki Regional CouncilRatepayersUnitary Authoritiesfarmingelection
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Government Halts Transfer of Iwi-Council Agreements into New Resource System
Federated Farmers welcomes the Government's decision to stop iwi-council agreements from transferring into the new resource management system, addressing concerns about council rushes and accountability for farmers.
Politics and GovernmentEnvironmentGeneral PoliticsLegalAgriculture Federated FarmersGovernmentMana Whakahono ā RoheResource ManagementPlanning BillNatural Environment Billfarmingelection
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Federated Farmers Endorses National's Plan to Streamline On-Farm Solar Installations
Federated Farmers backs National's plan to make small-scale solar a permitted activity, cutting red tape and costs for farmers. This move, a key election platform recommendation, aims to boost on-farm energy generation and profitability.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessScience & TechnologyGeneral PoliticsEconomyEnergyAgricultureElection Federated FarmersNational PartySolar EnergyFarmingEnergy PolicyRegulation
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Federated Farmers Urges Bold Conservation Law Reform
Federated Farmers advocates for modernizing New Zealand's conservation laws, arguing current legislation is outdated and hinders efforts. They support pragmatic reforms to improve environmental outcomes, reduce taxpayer burden, and enable economic activities like grazing, countering activist "scaremongering."
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyEnvironmentLegalAgricultureElection Federated FarmersConservation ReformRichard DawkinsSimon CameronDepartment of ConservationGrazingfarming
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Federated Farmers Elects Colin Hurst as National President, Sandra Faulkner as Vice President
South Canterbury farmer Colin Hurst has been elected national president of Federated Farmers, with Gisborne's Sandra Faulkner as vice president. Hurst pledges to amplify farmers' voices amidst complex challenges, building on the organization's 127-year legacy.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyAgricultureLegalSocial Issues Colin HurstSandra FaulknerFederated FarmersRural AdvocacyLegislative Reformfarmingelection
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Waikato Dairy Farmer Danielle Hovmand Named Top Emerging Primary Sector Leader
Young Waikato dairy farmer Danielle Hovmand won the Primary Industries New Zealand Emerging Leader Award. Judges praised her selfless leadership, community involvement, and dedication to helping others succeed, highlighting her significant contributions to the primary sector.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentAgricultureEconomyEducationSocial IssuesGeneral PoliticsEmployment and Labor Danielle HovmandPrimary Industries New Zealand Emerging Leader AwardFederated FarmersWaikatoDairy farmingLeadershipfarmingelection
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Primary Industries Awards Celebrate New Zealand's Top Food and Fibre Leaders
New Zealand's primary sector honored its top contributors at the annual Primary Industries Awards in Auckland. Jim van der Poel received the Outstanding Contribution award, alongside other leaders recognized for their impact on rural communities, journalism, and innovation.
BusinessScience & TechnologyMediaEnvironmentEconomyEmployment and LaborEducationDigital and Print PublishingComputers and Internet Primary Industries AwardsDairy IndustryRural SupportAgricultural JournalismInnovationAgricultureFederated Farmersfarmingelection
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Ministers Back Waikato Farmers Against Plan Change 1 Concerns
Federated Farmers welcomes support from Shane Jones and Todd McClay, who voiced deep concerns over Waikato Region Plan Change 1's impact on farmers at the Primary Industries New Zealand Summit, promising action to align rules with new RMA reforms.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyAgricultureLegal Federated FarmersShane JonesTodd McClayWaikato Region Plan Change 1Primary Industries New Zealand SummitResource Management Actfarmingelection
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Government Offers Hope to Waikato Farmers Over Plan Change 1 Rules
The Government will consider options for Waikato farmers affected by old planning rules, offering fresh hope. Minister Todd McClay announced officials will advise on aligning regional planning with new national systems, a move welcomed by Federated Farmers.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsAgricultureEnvironmentEconomy Federated FarmersWaikatoPlan Change 1Todd McClayEnvironmental Policyfarmingelection
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Federated Farmers Calls for Pause on Waikato Plan Change 1 Amid Reform Conflicts
Federated Farmers urges the government to pause Waikato's Plan Change 1, citing outdated rules, significant farmer compliance burdens, and conflicts with ongoing national resource management and local government reforms.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsState GovernmentsEconomyLegalEnvironmentAgriculture Federated FarmersWaikatoPlan Change 1FarmingResource ManagementEnvironmental Policyelection
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Government to Review FENZ Funding Amid Farmer Concerns
The New Zealand Government is reviewing Fire and Emergency New Zealand's funding model following calls from Federated Farmers. Farmers are concerned about rising levy costs and declining rural services, urging a broader review of service levels.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyAgricultureEmployment and LaborLegal Federated FarmersFire and Emergency New ZealandFENZfundingrural servicesinsurance leviesfarmingelection