increase font size
Andrew McGiven.
A farmer leader wants the incoming government to can Labour’s proposed water tax.
Federated Farmers Waikato president Andrew McGiven is hoping New Zealand First will block the proposed tax, a charge on farmers who use irrigated water.
“Now that the coalition has been announced I would expect that all Labour/Green policies will be put under the NZ First microscope,” says McGiven.
“I can only hope that the water tax is canned as realisation that costs by far outweigh the benefits environmentally and economically.”
Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern seemed to hint that the water tax was history.
She told reporters that NZ First leader Winston Peters was "very firm" on the controversial levy.
Ardern says she is "still sticking to the goal of improving our waterways", Peters "campaigned very firmly" against it.
"We are going to release the details early next week. People will understand that Mr Peters campaigned very firmly on that issue. I campaigned on water quality - I'm still sticking to the goal of improving our waterways... but I can tell you Mr Peters was very firm on that."
During the election campaign, farmers protested against the proposed water tax in Ardern’s hometown, Morrinsville.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
Federated Farmers is renewing its call for Greenpeace to be stripped of its charitable status immediately, following the activist group's latest publicity stunt.
Farmers are welcoming new Government proposals to make farm health and safety rules more practical and grounded in real-world farming.
There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's move to put the brakes on local authorities to do any more work on planning changes ahead of major changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).
Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait's recovery seems to have hit another snag.
