increase font size
New Federated Farmers president Katie Milne.
West Coast dairy farmer Katie Milne has broken the glass ceiling to become the first woman president of Federated Farmers in its 72 year history.
She was elected to the role last week at the Federated Farmers annual meeting, fighting off a strong challenge from vice-president Anders Crofoot.
Former Feds dairy chairman Andrew Hoggard is the new vice-president.
Milne says she became involved in Federated Farmers out of “righteous anger” and frustration at seeing people who knew little about farming telling farmers what to do.
She rose through the ranks, initially serving as her region’s dairy section chair, and was then elected to the Feds national board.
She is also deputy chair of Westland Milk Products.
She and her partner Ian Whitmore farm 200 high BW Jersey cows on their 100ha (eff) property near Lake Brunner, Rotomanu, near Hokitika.
Milne has played a leading role in improving the water quality of the lake by helping initiate smart environmental practices.
She is also a member of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, is on the council of OSPRI, has a role in Worksafe as part of her Feds role and is involved in TB Free.
Milne’s rapid rise to the top is because of her open, friendly tell-it-like-it-is personal style. She is seen as a person who can connect well with Feds members and with the public.
Milne replaces William Rolleston, who stepped down after serving the mandatory three-year term.
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.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
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.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
