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Tim Mackle.
DairyNZ says it’s backing changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).
DairyNZ wants it to deliver reduced compliance costs for farmers, increase efficiency and improve environmental outcomes.
Chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says a comprehensive reform of the RMA is long overdue and would be a positive step not only for farmers but all New Zealanders.
“The RMA has become too unpredictable and inefficient for applicants. Farmers will be keen to see this reform deliver a process which is faster, simpler and less costly,” he says.
But unlike Federated Farmers, Mackle believes that potentially replacing the RMA with two separate pieces of legislation for environment and planning makes a lot of sense. He says it will deliver better outcomes for farm environments, which face different issues than our urban counterparts and believes that a separate environment act would also support clear and efficient environmental rule settings.
“The proposal for each region to put forward a combined development plan has some merit. A regional view could support better decision-making on issues such as the appropriate use of land to lock up carbon and the opportunities to support land use flexibility through new irrigation,” he says.
Mackle says DairyNZ wants all political parties to reflect seriously on these recommendations and to work quickly on achieving meaningful reform in the next term of Parliament.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
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Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
