increase font size
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.”
The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).
OPINION: Newsroom is running a series of articles looking into the influence of lobbying and has kicked it off with agriculture.
OPINION: Farmers and growers know the frustration well: Pointless paperwork, slow consents, and confusing red tape that turns simple tasks into complex ones.
New Zealand and Malaysia have agreed to boost trade for high-quality halal meat products.
OPINION: After hopping from one event to another at Fieldays, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard would have been hoping for a rest.
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.
