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New Federared Farmers President Colin Hurst (Left) and new Federated Farmers Vice President Sandra Faulkner.
Newly appointed Federated Farmers vice president Sandra Faulkner says she is honoured and excited to hold the role.
"There’s so much work still to do, particularly in this period of legislative reform,” says Faulkner.
"The new RMA and local government legislation will inform how our children will farm, and that can’t be understated."
Faulkner says she’s proud of the way Federated Farmers has built relationships with decision-makers around New Zealand.
"Right now, there are national and regional leaders considering if they should pick up the phone or flick a message to the provincial Feds president.
"They know the response will be well-informed, considered from multiple points of view, deeply practical - and probably more affordable."
Faulkner has been on the Federated Farmers national board for four years, with the local government, adverse events, health and rural communities’ portfolios.
She farms with husband Rob at Wairakaia, near Gisborne, where they run a diverse operation including sheep, beef, cropping, citrus, farm forestry and contracting.
She also serves on the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and is a trustee for the Campaign for Wool, along with holding other charitable directorships.
Meanwhile, Southland’s Chris Dillon joins the board as arable chair, taking over from David Birkett.
South Canterbury’s Greg Anderson has been voted in as an at-large board member, and Mark Hooper has held his spot as the other at-large member.
Richard Dawkins (meat and wool chair) and Karl Dean (dairy chair) have retained their positions.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
