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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.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
Farmers have been airing their concerns to the Government over changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.
Southland farmers are welcoming moves by the Government to repeal intensive winter grazing rules.
A new report shows farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.
Making things simpler, not harder, for deer farmers in farm planning and coping with regulations is Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) industry capability manager John Ladley’s current focus.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is launching an online business directory called The Country Women’s Collective to promote and support entrepreneurial rural women.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill has joined the Campaign for Wool NZ as an ambassador, lending his name and profile to educate and advocate for New Zealand strong wool.
Living labs that bring together expertise at locations around New Zealand are among potential solutions identified by researchers to help the country move towards a more climate resilient future.
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