Are we in the coalition of science or cabal of fear?
Life Sciences Network chair and former Federated Farmers president William Rolleston spoke at the Bluegreens Forum in Methven last week. Here are excerpts from his speech:
In turn the organisation is starting to appear more like a blood-soaked episode of the television fantasy programme Game of Thrones than a farmer lobby.
It seems Feds management is in something of a meltdown mode with another two senior managers suddenly leaving the organisation last week. Communications manager Philip Clark and provincial engagement manager Jodie Campbell both left within days of each other amid speculation as to why.
This follows the sudden departure late last year of Fiona Thompson-Carter, the policy manager. All three were appointees of chief executive Graham Smith who took over the reins at the farmer lobby nearly two years ago. Smith's restructuring of the organisation also saw other staff made redundant.
Since Thompson-Carter departed no new policy manager has been appointed, causing upset amongst staff and farmer members, as Feds is still trying to work out how best to manage internal policy.
However, Feds president William Rolleston plays down the issue, telling Rural News it's not helpful to speculate.
"Ever since I have been in Feds there have been people happy and others unhappy. I guess when you have a big change of senior staff you don't always get it right first time," he says.
But other Feds sources tell Rural News they have real concerns about the restructuring and the resulting fall-out. It is now likely that Smith himself will be under pressure to explain why things have gone so wrong and the cost in dollar terms and staff morale.
Another issue creating tension is that Smith is not based full time in Wellington, preferring to work part of the time out of the Hamilton office. This has led to claims that Feds is 'leaderless' in Wellington.
For years Federated Farmers has seen a high turnover of senior staff and these latest departures are seen continuing that trend, reducing the organisation's 'institutional memory'.
Staff issues could be on the agenda at the Feds annual conference in Wellington in June. Mindful of the catch-cry in Game of Thrones – famous for killing off its key actors – one wonders if indeed 'winter is coming' for Feds.
