Friday, 16 July 2021 16:16

Huge turnout in the Horowhenua

Written by  Peter Burke
Protestors march through Levin. Protestors march through Levin.

Dozens of people lined the main street of the Horowhenua rural town of Levin to cheer on the huge turnout of Groundswell protestors as they drove their tractors, utes and other farm vehicles through the town.

According to locals it was the largest protest they have ever seen with the vehicles taking nearly an hour to pass down the main street.

The protest was led by about 30 tractors followed by at least 200 utes and other vehicles.

Those taking part in the protest came from various towns in the Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast, but there were others who came from as far away as Taihape to take part in the protest.

One of many protest signs from the Levin protest.

As well as farmers there were rural contractors, other rural professionals and trades people.

Their concerns ranged from the way the  environmental reforms are being rushed through by government without proper consultation to the ute tax which was seen by all as an outright attack on rural NZ.

Before the protest began, there was call for the farm dogs to have their say and for about five minutes the huntaways led a boisterous chorus of barking and howling.

When told about reports  by Labour MP Kieran McAnulty that the Groundswell movement didn’t represent farmers, people just rolled their eyes in disbelief at his remarks.

More like this

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

Non, Paris!

OPINION: Critics of NZ’s commitment to the Paris Accord, such as Groundswell and others, continue to push for an exemption for ag, arguing that the threat of trade retaliation is more hypothetical than real.

'Prepare for more pine trees'

Prepare for more pine trees. That's the message from North Otago farmer Jane Smith following the new methane emission targets recently announced by the Government.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Overbearing?

OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…

Foot-in-mouth

OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter