Tuesday, 22 October 2019 09:55

Will it be E can or E can’t?

Written by  Nigel Malthus
Newly-elected councillor Ian Mackenzie. Newly-elected councillor Ian Mackenzie.

Regional councils won’t be anything more than “unpopular policemen” if the discussion document on freshwater goes the way the Government is proposing, says a newly elected Canterbury regional councillor.

In the recent local body elections, Ian Mackenzie topped the poll in the Environment Canterury (Ecan) council’s Mid-Canterbury constituency.

Mackenzie brought an impressive CV to a region where politics are dominated by water, environment and land use. 

He has farmed in the Ashburton District for 40 years, served on the national board of Federated Farmers as environment and water spokesman, and on the Land and Water Forum. He was on the national objectives framework reference group which made recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment Amy Adams for the first National Policy Statement on Fresh Water.

“Some of what I hope to be able to achieve will depend on the outcomes of this discussion document on fresh water,” he told Rural News.

“If that goes through the way the Government is proposing then there’s not much scope for the regional councils to be anything other than an unpopular policeman – which is not why I put my name forward as a candidate.

“But assuming the Government sees sense and we get some sensible outcomes more in line with the first NPS on freshwater then there’s quite a lot of scope,” he said.

Mackenzie’s election helps bolster a strong farming sector representation on the first fully democratically elected Canterbury Regional Council since 2010.

The council was replaced by Government appointed commissioners for two terms, then in 2016 seven councillors were elected and joined by a number of commissioners in a transitional council.

Of the seven councillors elected in 2016, five sought re-election this year and four have been successful.

Re-elected were the deputy chair Peter Scott, an arable farmer from Pleasant Point representing the South Canterbury constituency; Leeston dairy farmer John Sunckell in Mid-Canterbury; and Cust farmer and veterinarian Claire McKay in North Canterbury.

Sunckell says he is happy to have been re-elected.

“You don’t know how people see you and how they view your first term, so I’m really pleased to be back.”

Sunckell was impressed by some in the new line-up.

“There’s some really strong people with good education and backgrounds in water and science and governance so that’s a positive.”

Another with strong farming connections is Darfield farm environment consultant Megan Hands, who has been elected to one of the mostly urban Christchurch constituencies.

Hands is from a Hawkes Bay farming family and grew up on a dairy farm in Manawatu before studying at Lincoln and now runs her own consultancy, LandSavvy. 

More like this

Greenpeace nitrate claims 'misleading'

Critics say claims from environmental activist organisation Greenpeace around nitrates in South Island waterways are ‘misleading’ and ‘misinformation’.

Big feedlot raises concerns

A Canterbury farmer's plan to establish a 2,200-animal composting barn feedlot, near the environmentally sensitive Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, will go to a public hearing.

Planning paramount for intensive winter grazing

Environment Canterbury are reminding farmers that having an intensive winter grazing management plan is imperative for farmers that want the best environmental outcome from a ‘high-risk’ activity.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter