Friday, 16 July 2021 14:32

Another protest coming!

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Protesters at the Howl of a Protest in Taupo. Protesters at the Howl of a Protest in Taupo.

Another nationwide protest by farmers will be held on August 16 unless the Government listens to their concerns.

This was announced at the Groundswell protest in Morrinsville where over 2500 people backed by 250 tractors and 100 utes took part in a rally.

There were calls for the Government to review its policies around farming, especially those related to sustainability and water. Tradies are also unhappy with getting hammered with a clean car tax on utes, vehicles considered an integral part of their job.

Groundswell protest Timaru FBTW

A sign from the protest in Timaru.

Waikato farmer Andrew McGiven was one of the speakers at the Morrinsville rally.

He says the country and farming folks are fed up with Wellington imposing badly thought out policies on them.

The nationwide protest saw thousands of tractors, utes and other farm vehicles driven through main towns.

In Levin, about 50 tractors and over 200 vehicles took part.

Henry Bennick from Taihape with his dogs at the Levin Protest.

Taupo also reported a huge procession of tractors, utes and cars.

In Auckland about 200 tractors drove up the Southern Motorway to the city centre. Some tractors were not allowed into the city centre and ended up at the Ellerslie Events Centre.

More like this

Parting shot?

OPINION: Environment Minister David Parker, likely in the final weeks of the job, remains hell-bent on burning bridges with farmers.

$10,000 plan

OPINION: Farmer lobby Groundswell is mobilising farmers against the requirement to have freshwater farm plans.

Ministry bagged for carpet decision

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is copping flak over its decision to carpet 800 small and remote rural schools with synthetic tiles rather than wool.

Featured

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as possible.

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Alliance's Pure South cuts win gold

Meat co-operative Alliance Group has bagged four gold medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, achieving top honours for every cut entered.

Dairy demand on the rise

There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.

National

Machinery & Products

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

Claas rings up some big numbers

The Claas Group finished fiscal year 2023 with a substantial leap in sales that reflected the high demand for agricultural…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Too late?

OPINION: Your canine crusader reckons moves by the new government to try and breathe new life into the country's ailing…

Going rogue!

OPINION: This old mutt suggests the new government is going to have to move fast to rein in a number…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter