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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.
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.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
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.
