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Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre.
Farmers are welcoming the broad scope of a parliamentary inquiry into banking competition.
The terms of reference announced last week include looking at the price of banking services, with a particular focus on business and rural lending products and the return on capital from business, rural and residential mortgage lending.
Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says the broad scope of the inquiry will hit the mark for farmers and rural communities.
“We’re pleased to see the Government announce a wide-ranging inquiry that will leave the banks with nowhere to hide,” McIntyre says.
“Farmers have been asking serious questions about the levels of competition, profitability and transparency in rural lending for a long time now – and it looks like they’re about to get answers.
“This inquiry is well placed to shine a bright light on parts of our rural banking system that, until now, have been allowed to operate in the shadows.”
The chair of primary production select committee, Mark Cameron, is urging the rural sector to make their voices heard.
“Anyone on the back of a rural loan, whether you are a horticulture, sheep and beef, arable or dairy farmer, should make sure their voices are heard – be part of the process,” he told Dairy News.
The public submission period runs for six weeks.
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.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.
