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Federated Farmers' spokeswoman on local government, Katie Milne.
Farmers are being urged to get involved in the upcoming local authority elections.
Federated Farmers' spokeswoman on local government, Katie Milne, says local government elections are vitally important for farming on many levels, and she is encouraging farmers to make their voices heard.
"It is crucial that farmers get involved in holding their councils to account. This includes being engaged on the issues and when the time comes making an informed vote.
"It’s also important that we get good candidates, including farmers and other business-minded people, to stand for election," she says.
"It’s a challenging role but farmers can make a difference on councils, informing and educating [other councilors] about what happens on-farm, which is crucial for getting sensible, workable outcomes."
Milne says that the way local government is funded, by property value based rates, has a big impact on farms' financial viability.
"The average farm now pays well over $10,000 per year in rates and rates are often in the top half dozen farm expenses. As a fixed cost there is no way for farms to cut it back, short of selling up, during downturns like the current one."
Local Government NZ has published a guide for candidates, and has launched a campaign to boost flagging voter numbers.
Federated Farmers will produce a local elections manifesto on key issues farmers and candidates should think about.
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.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.
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