The days of farmers facing an avalanche of regulations around how they farm will be a thing of the past, says National's new Northland MP Grant McCallum.
The sheep, beef and dairy farmer told Dairy News that the new coalition Government will work with farmers.
"We will give them a challenge, then we'll sit down with them and work together to find solutions. The days of ramming through legislation without proper consultation are over."
McCallum says farmers were under enormous but unwanted pressure from the last government.
"The volume of change and the way the previous government went about it was appalling. We will bring the farming sector into the tent and work through issues with them."
He points to work being done in water catchments in some parts of the country, where farmers work together with other stakeholders within the catchment and successfully work through issues.
"This is what farmers want; we are pretty innovative and very good at things we do."
McCallum, a first-time MP, thanked the people of Northland for putting their faith in him.
He says the electorate covers both farming and urban communities and he will be working for everyone.
McCallum has a farm at Maungaturoto that used to run 5000 ewes but now milks 500 cows and rears 300 bulls. He has lived in Northland since the late 1970s and has contributed to local organisations and community groups since then.
"I love Northland and, as its local MP, I'll be laser-focused on issues that matter, like the cost of living," he says.
"National also backs farmers. As a farmer myself, I understand the significant contribution farmers make to the economy and to Kiwis, both here in Northland and across the country.
"With National, I look forward to advocating for farmers and farming communities to reduce their regulatory burden and costs and let them get on with doing what they do best - leading the world in innovative farming practices that help to drive New Zealand forward."
Grant serves as chair of the Kauri Museum at Matakohe and has been a member of the Bluegreens executive since 2001. In the past, he has served as vice president of the Northern branch of Federated Farmers and on the boards of several Northland sporting organisations.
Grant holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture from Lincoln University.
