Federated Farmers Welcomes Local Government Reform Plans
Federated Farmers says reforms of local government announced last week will be music to farmers' ears.
An aerial view of Southland flooding on Thursday last week. Photo: High Country Helicopters/Facebook.
Organisers behind the Farmy Army, a clean-up group operating in flood-ravaged Southland are calling for volunteers.
The Federated Farmers-led group had over 100 volunteers working across Southland farms yesterday: around the same number will be back on farms today.
So far, the group has helped out on 26 farms in Southland and two in Otago, says Federated Farmers territory managers team leader, Laura Sanford.
“We’ve received a great response so far, but we still need people to stick their hand up to volunteer,” says Sanford.
Sanford encourages anyone who wants to help to get involved.
“The volunteers are a wide mix of demographics, age groups, and skill levels,”
“Community groups, businesses, and urban people from Invercargill have all been helping out.”
Sanford is also urging farmers not to hesitate in asking for help.
“If farmers think they will benefit from an Army on their farm, they should put their hand up... we're urging farmers not to sit on the fence."
The battle for the rural vote is on and parties are securing high profile names to try and bolster their chances at the general election.
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.

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