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Bryce McKenzie
Farmer lobby Groundswell believes that farmers are worried about the implications of a potential centre-left government.
Groundswell co-founder Bryce McKenzie told Rural News that farmers are worried that there could be a return to unworkable freshwater regulations that were introduced under the last Labour government.
“It’s fair to say farmers are very apprehensive and certainly concerned that there could be a centre-left government, especially when they are talking about going back to the (former Labour Environment Minister) David Parker’s unworkable freshwater regulations as a starting base for their national policy statement (NPS) on fresh water.”
McKenzie says another major concern is that whichever government gets in, more money will be poured into AgriZero, a partnership between the government and primary sector players to invest in methane reduction technology.
“Whoever gets in will persevere with AgriZero and their crazy witch hunt of ruminant methane reduction.”
He says the influence of the Paris climate change agreement on farming remains a major concern.
While both ACT and New Zealand First support withdrawing from the Paris Accord, National is sticking with it.
In a Facebook post last week, Groundswell reminded its 67,000 followers about the MMP system and how it matters more this election.
“As always, Groundswell isn’t here to tell you how to vote, but for those who are considering which one of the coalition parties to support, it’s worth thinking about the actual effect your party vote could have on the next Parliament.
“If National wins more electorates than the number of seats their share of the party vote would give them, another party vote for them won’t contribute to more seats in the coalition.”
AgriZeroNZ has invested a further NZ$17.7 million in methane vaccine developer ArkeaBio and NZ$5.1 million in BioLumic, a New Zealand-founded company that uses ultraviolet light to develop low-emissions pasture..
With less than a week to go before voters choose the next government, Federated Farmers has a simple message to its members - get out and vote.
For years, IrrigationNZ has called for a coordinated national approach to water security, backed by enabling regulation, strategic infrastructure investment and sound technical practice. As the 2026 general election approaches, many of these priorities are now reflected in political commitments and legislative reforms. That represents significant progress, but the real measure of success will be turning policy into practical outcomes, says IrrigationNZ principal technical officer Stephen McNally.
OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.
Federated Farmers has welcomed new rural policies released by ACT, saying they align closely with its own election priorities.
A new fruit quality research laboratory has been opened in Auckland by agritech company Hectre to develop pioneering hyperspectral technology.
Farmer lobby Groundswell believes that farmers are worried about the implications of a potential centre-left government.
With less than a week to go before voters choose the next government, Federated Farmers has a simple message to its members - get out and vote.
Students will be able to study Agriculture and Horticultural Science from Year 11, creating a clear pathway into Years 12 and 13 and future careers in New Zealand’s primary industries, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
With fireworks on sale from today and the election five days away, the NZ Veterinary Association says the issue deserves another look.
Farmlands has reported higher operating earnings and a profit before income tax of $4.5 million, up 118.9%, for the year ended 30 June 2026.
