increase font size
Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner.
Now local council elections have come to a close, with the last of the successful candidates announced late last week, Federated Farmers is urging councils up and down the country to focus on rates bills this term.
Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says there are many issues facing local government this term, but the newly elected councillors need to keep residents’ concerns top of mind.
“Federated Farmers congratulates all successful candidates, and thanks all of those who stood. It takes courage to put your name forward for an election,” says Faulkner.
In 2022, as in previous years, Federated Farmers published a 2022 ‘platform’ of hot button council issues, outlining the farming sector’s concerns and suggested changes on everything from three waters and RMA reforms to rural road maintenance, climate change and environmental regulation.
“Right up the front of that platform was the bald and unpalatable fact that in the decade to 2022, local authority rates and feeds have gone up an average 56%, against a consumer price index rise of 20%,” Faulkner says.
“For farmers, and many other businesses and households too, the rates bill is a major – and climbing cost.”
Federated Farmers wants councillors to remember the difference between ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’, and to ask questions around value for money.
“Core infrastructure should be the priority,” says Faulkner.
During the Annual Plan/budget rounds, there should also be robust debate around the place for targeted rates and uniform charges "which are often a much fairer way than general rates of apportioning costs according to benefit derived," she says.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Federated Farmers say Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a 'nitrate emergency' is a shameless political stunt that won't help anyone.
Farmers want the Government to scrap controversial freshwater rules that "put river spirits and ideology ahead of practical water use", says Federated Farmers board member Mark Hooper.
A day after the ouster of PGG Wrightson’s chair and his deputy, the listed rural trader’s board has appointed John Nichol as the new independent chair.
Tributes are pouring in from across the political divide for former Prime Minister Jim Bolger who passed away, aged 90.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
Agri advisor Perrin Ag says its graduate recruitment programme continues to bring new talent into the agricultural sector.
Entries are open for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).
As New Zealand marks International Day of Rural Women today, women from across the horticulture sector are calling attention to the crucial role they play in building a more sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient industry.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…
