Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Federated Farmers says it is gearing up to assist members and farmers as local authorities start revealing their long term plans and budgets.
Feds says over the next two months it will make 68 submissions nationwide. It has prepared a policy guide to help its 24 provinces navigate council plans, with particular focus on rates.
“Our members and farmers pay a lot of money in rates, which can be among their highest overheads,” says Feds president Katie Milne.
She says this year is especially significant as local government faces big challenges on funding infrastructure in response to high population growth, but in some cases decline.
“Farmers are already paying big rates for essential items like local road networks, and are wondering what councils will come up with this time round,” Milne says.
“We want to make sure any new projects are both justified and funded appropriately.”
Milne says Feds has noticed a “disturbing trend” in council long term plans now out for consultation.
“While it’s early days, with a dozen or so long term plans out for consultation, we’re seeing significant rate increases for farmers, such as the 23.5% increase on rural communities proposed by Manawatu District Council and an overall rate increase of 12% for Bay of Plenty Regional Council ratepayers.”
She says Feds is also worried about the cost to local authorities of their activities other than core services, such as tourism promotion and economic development.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.