Waikato Plan Change 1 litigation nears conclusion after 12 years
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
Waikato Regional Council senior technical advisor Bala Tikkisetty says soil is the most important resource to any nation, more importantly for farmers.
But he points out that in NZ we lose it to the ocean about 10 times faster than the rest of the world, with about 192 million tonnes sliding into the sea every year.
That equates to an astonishing 1.1 to 1.7% of total global soil loss to oceans, despite us having only 0.1% of total land area.
Tikkisetty says these statistics are a reflection of the erosion that results from our mountainous and hilly landscape, heavy rainfall events and some of our land use practices.
This will further intensify with impacts of climate change.
“Many New Zealand soils are inherently susceptible to erosion because of high rainfall, soft lithology, and steep topography.
“However, agriculture is not solely responsible for high levels of sediment input to fresh water across New Zealand. Urban development, mineral extraction, and earthworks also contribute to the problem.
“And, as we all know, the resulting sedimentation of our waterways contributes to poor water quality and interferes with aquatic biodiversity, as well as affecting the backbone of our country’s economy – farming.”
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.