Bridging the gap with rural New Zealand
OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.
And politicians are being told to get into the countryside to listen to dairy farmers flat out with calving.
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle is welcoming the opportunity to engage constructively and share the industry perspective on the Bill.
But he points out that dairy farmers furiously busy with calving cannot get to Wellington to talk to the parliamentary environment select committee hearing submissions on the Bill.
DairyNZ is encouraging dairy farmers across New Zealand to tell the politicians what they think, says Mackle.
Mackle notes that appearing before the parliamentary select committee in July and August would be difficult for farmers as those months mark the start of calving season.
“That’s why I have written to parliament’s environment select committee this week to urge them to travel throughout provincial NZ to hear submissions in the main agricultural centres.
