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Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Katie Milne.
Federated Farmers want the government to give immediate attention to the Local Government '10 point plan' for rates reform.
Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Katie Milne says the disastrous dairy payout prices in particular mean farmers want urgent action on local body rates inequities.
"We farmers can't control international prices. Neither can the government. But the government can legislate rates reform. It all helps, and the sooner the better," Milne says.
Federated Farmers in particular want the rates base to be broadened.
"There needs to be a good hard look at landowners who are currently exempt from paying rates. Local bodies need to get more into user pays for services."
However, Milne has reservations about some of the LGNZ plan.
"The idea of 'value uplift' to increase rates in line with increased local government investment is interesting. We would need to see the fine print, but we would have a concern that local government investment in such things as roads may not benefit anyone but the people passing through to somewhere else."
Milne also endorsed the Local Government Minister, Paula Bennett's push for councils to be more efficient and effective and to demonstrate the value of their spending before asking for more money.
"I agree that any changes to funding arrangements should not be a license to grow spending. To me, the key is about what are the most appropriate ways to fund modern local government and how funding of local government should be sending the right messages to central government, councils, and communities. Currently, over-reliance on property value rates fails this test dismally."
"Overall however, LGNZ has produced a refined version of mostly what has been on the table and well considered for some time. It is now up to central government to get on with doing something about it," she says.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
