Editorial: Long overdue!
OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.
Farmers say if the government introduces a tax on diesel to fund transport it must first sort out the "cumbersome and costly" fuel excise duty rebate system.
Federated Farmers transport spokesperson Guy Wigley told the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee select committee this week that while there is a rebate applying to off-road petrol use many farmers don’t bother to make claims because the paperwork is too onerous.
"Extending the fuel excise duty off-road rebate to diesel, which is much more heavily used in agriculture than is petrol, will likely result in a big increase in claim volumes and an increase in compliance costs."
Forestry, fishing, rail and maritime sectors would be similarly affected, adding pressure on administration of the rebate.
"Running a dual refund system which includes diesel for Auckland but not for the rest of the country will add further complications and confusion," Wigley said.
The Federated Farmers submission supported increased investment in transport infrastructure and acknowledged the case for extra revenue to be raised for specific transport projects that might otherwise crowd-out investment in other regions.
"It’s not just Auckland that needs investment. Rural roads need to be improved, especially for safety, and they need more funding for maintenance."
The Federation has long held concerns about regional fuel taxes (RFT), and the prospect of RFT revenue collected from rural road users being used solely to fund urban projects.
"However, if an RFT is to proceed and be collected from rural areas of a region, then it is only fair for revenue to be spent on activities in rural areas as well as urban areas.
"That should be written into the criteria in the proposed amendment bill."
The 2025 game bird season is underway with Hawke’s Bay and Southland reporting the ideal weather conditions for hunters – rain and wind.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.