Election 2026: Rural Lobby Groups Challenge Parties on Agriculture Policy
Three farmer lobby groups are applying the blowtorch to political parties on key issues facing the primary sector ahead of the general elections.
The seat is currently held by Maureen Pugh, who defeated former Agriculture Minister and current Labour Party regional development, trade, and defence spokesperson Damien O’Connor in the 2023 election.
Pugh is set to retire from Parliament at this year's election.
Milne is a fifth generation farmer from the West Coast and was vice president of the World Farmers Organisation and a director for Predator Free 2050.
In 2015, Milne was named Fonterra Dairy Women of the Year. That same year, she also won the New Zealand Women of Influence Rural Award.
She says she is “honoured” to be selected as a candidate.
“That hard work starts now to re-elect a National Government that is fixing the basics and building the future,” she says.
“In an uncertain world, responsible economic management matters now more than ever,” Milne says.
She says National has saved taxpayers $43 billion to date by cutting down on “wasteful spending”.
“As a lifelong advocate for farmers, I can see firsthand how National backs our primary sector,” Milne says.
“The National-led Government has reduced red tape to get farmers back to farming, signed new trade deals which has helped increase trade by $17 billion, and introduced investment boost to encourage businesses to invest, expand, and hire more Kiwis.”
“As a fifth- generation coaster, I know that our region can be more productive, with more jobs and higher wages. That is why I will be campaigning hard to re-elect a National Government and to earn the right to be West Coast-Tasman’s next National MP. ”
