Federated Farmers hails rural banking report
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
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.
After serving three as a DairyNZ director, Waikato farmer Chris Lewis is ready for another term.
DairyNZ has announced the date for its six-yearly Milksolids Levy vote, which will take place from Monday, 16 February to Friday, 13 March 2026.
LIC has reaffirmed its sponsorship of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) by signing up as a national sponsor for another three years.
On track for a fifth consecutive year of organic milk price increases, Fonterra is seeking more suppliers to meet growing global demand.
Converting a Banks Peninsula farm to dairy is expected to reduce its environmental footprint by 46%, say its owner and manager.
Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.
OPINION: Fonterra's $4.22 billion consumer business sale to Lactalis is ruffling a few feathers outside the dairy industry.
OPINION: Finance Minister Nicola Willis could have saved her staff and MBIE time and effort over ‘buttergate’ recently by not…