increase font size
The rugby and netball games, organised by Federated Farmers, were played at the famous Ngatapa Sports Club in memory of the late Parekura Horomia.
Farmers and politicians clashed on the sports field in Gisborne recently and helped raise $300,000 for Cyclone Gabrielle victims.
The rugby and netball games, organised by Federated Farmers, were played at the famous Ngatapa Sports Club in memory of the late Parekura Horomia. Funds raised will go directly to local farmers still refencing their properties and recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle.
One of the event organisers, Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams, says the event “was the very best of rural New Zealand”.
“The sun was shining, the whole community turned up and helped out, and we raised a huge sum of money for a great cause.”
The event raised almost $300,000 in cash donations and when you combine that with the value of the tractor we gave away and vouchers for the runners-up, there’s half a million dollars going into the local farming community,” Williams says.
The Federated Farmers rugby team lost 20-12 to the Parliamentary side in what was described as an incredibly competitive and physical game. But the farmers had their revenge on the netball court, beating the visiting Parliamentary side 33-16.
Williams says the rugby match wasn’t just a bunch of old boys and politicians running around the park.
“There were definitely a few ringins on the Parliamentary side, with bodyguards, security officers and former professional players all lining up and running the ball hard into contact. You’ve got to give it to the politicians though. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay is a pretty handy player in the backline, pulling off a man of the match performance.
“It turns out Todd’s not just quick to cut red tape for farmers. He’s pretty quick down the right wing too. Labour MP Peeni Henare was like a rampaging bull every time he got his hands on the ball, and former Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor was a real menace at the breakdown.”
If there was a silver lining in the tragedy that was Cyclone Gabrielle, for New Zealand Young Grower of the Year, Grace Fulford, it was the tremendous sense of community and seeing first-hand what good leadership looks like.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Federated Farmers say Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a 'nitrate emergency' is a shameless political stunt that won't help anyone.
Listed rural trader PGG Wrightson chair Garry Moore and his deputy Sarah Brown have been voted out by shareholders.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
DairyNZ has appointed Dr Jenny Jago to a newly created leadership team role - science partnerships & impact advisor - as part of a strategic refresh of the organisation's science leadership.
OPINION: Public pressure has led to Canterbury Police rightly rolling back its proposed restructure that would have seen several rural police stations closed in favour of centralised hubs.
When I interview Rachel Cox, she is driving - on her way to her next meeting.
With Fonterra's UHT plant at its Edendale site less than a year from completion, demand continues to grow for products the plant will produce, such as Anchor Whipping Cream.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…
