increase font size
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s promise of no new taxes has come under fire once again by farmers.
Farmers have taken to social media to express outrage at the Government over a new levy.
Last week, Rural News reported that the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) was unhappy with a proposed new aerial safety levy.
NZAAA claims the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) levy unfairly targets the ag sector and will increase the costs of aerial spreading of fertiliser and spraying of crops.
NZAAA is not alone in such claims, as evident in the social media reaction to the levy.
Popular New Zealand farming Facebook page, NZ Farming wrote, “Of all Government departments, the CAA must surely have the title of the most out of control with what they charge in terms of compliance costs.”
A top comment by Jeff Davis added, “This country has lost the plot with safety we have made a whole industry out of heath [sic] and safety it’s getting out of control.”
Another comment by BC Warren said, “Transporting people should attract the higher levy, contributing to growing food for the economy should be exempt.”
Agricultural aviation company Farmers Air wrote on their Facebook, “We think this type of levy is grossly unfair and is just another tax that will have to be passed onto our clients, please speak with you [sic] local Federated Farmers rep and local MP about this unfair tax. We don’t mind paying our way but we have seen no improved service or efficiencies in the way CAA conducts its business.”
What was clear within the social media reaction was disapproval for the current Labour-government, with many farmers feeling betrayed by Labour’s promise of no new taxes and supporting the primary sector.
“On the news tonight everyone is voting labour,” wrote Richard Langdon on the NZ Farming post, receiving only laughing reactions.
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts started after their disastrous Covid response; now trying to undermine the Covid inquiry to protect his own backside.
Labour's agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton says while New Zealand needs more housing, sacrificing our best farmland to get there is not the answer.
Labour's agriculture spokesperson says the Government’s decisions are set to hamstring growth within the farming sector.
Rural Women New Zealand’s (RWNZ) new president, Sandra Matthews, says the cancellation of rural school bus services could have devastating consequences.
OPINION: Clicking through some news of late, I have noted the odd headline referring to credit card debt.
Federated Farmers says a report to Parliament on the subject of a ban on carbon forestry does not go far enough to prevent continued farm to forestry conversions.
New Zealand Apples and Pears annual conference was a success with delegates and exhibitors alike making the most of three days of exhibitions, tours, insightful discussions, valuable networking and thoughtful presentations.
The future of New Zealand’s agricultural sector grew a little brighter, with the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) now accepting applications for its scholarships through Lincoln University, offering $10,500 to up to six exceptional students who are poised to become the next leaders in the primary industries.
OPINION: Nothing it seems can be done in the short term to get Donald Trump to change his mind about removing the unfair 15% tariffs that he’s imposed on New Zealand exports to the US.
A charity that connects young people with farmers for two years of on-farm training is reporting 150 student applications for its 2026 intake.
It’s been a long time coming, but the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is returning to the Naki for Season 58.
OPINION: Your old mate reckons townie Brooke van Velden, the Minister of Workplace (or is it Woke Place) Relations is…
OPINION: There's an infamous term coined by a US general during the Vietnam war, specifically in reference to the battle…
