Friday, 20 January 2023 14:18

Ag sector 'loses a friend'

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation yesterday. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation yesterday.

Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard believes the agriculture sector is “losing a friend” with the shock resignation of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

He told Rural News that Ardern was one of the “more supportive” voices that farmers had among Cabinet Ministers.

“Many people may think I’ve had too much to drink during the holidays, but within that Cabinet, she supported the ag sector more than anyone else.”

“We may get a new PM who doesn’t share her views.”

On He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) – an ag sector group set up to work closely with the Government on emissions pricing – Hoggard says he found that Ardern was willing to support recommendations from the industry group.

He claims that there were some ministers who wanted to “chuck agriculture into an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) straight away”.

But Hoggard adds that, while Ardern was supportive of the farming sector, one of the criticisms she will face is that farmers faced an avalanche of regulations while she was at the helm of the Government.

Hoggard says he was “shocked like others” to hear the news of Ardern’s resignation.

He believes farmers, like other New Zealanders, will be watching with interest to see who will take over as Labour leader and PM until the general election in October.

The Labour caucus meets on Sunday to elect a new leader. Chris Hipkins is said to be front runner at this stage.

Ardern says being Prime Minister has been the greatest honour of her life but she couldn’t continue in the role any more.

“With holding such a privileged role comes responsibility, including the responsibility to know when you’re the right person to lead, and also when you’re not.  

“I have given my absolute all to being Prime Minister but it has also taken a lot out of me. You cannot and should not do the job unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges that inevitably come along. 

“Having reflected over summer, I know I no longer have that bit extra in the tank to do the job justice. It’s that simple.”

More like this

Kiwi farmers are the best

OPINION: Pre-Parliament, I was involved with the International Dairy Federation. I attended firstly business meetings at the annual conference, then later, board meetings as a sitting board member.

Tractor therapy

While many MPs have been busy taking holidays in maybe exotic places, for Andrew Hoggard it's back to his old job as a dairy farmer during the so-called 'summer break'.

A steep learning curve

A steep learning curve, a very busy year and thank heavens for tractor therapy. That's how Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard described his first year in Parliament to reporter Peter Burke at his dairy farm in the Manawatu during the holiday break.

Featured

Pāmu farm opens gate to urban visitors

For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.

Afimilk appoints new general manager

Afimilk, a global dairy farm management solutions provider, has appointed Justin Miller as the new general manager for New Zealand and Australia.

National

Machinery & Products

Alpego eyes electric power harrow

Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Dodgy!

OPINION: If you believe Maori Party president John Tamihere’s claim that “nothing dodgy” occurred at Manurewa Marae during the last…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter