increase font size
Winston Peters.
The internet is awash with farmers furious at Winston Peters’ decision to back a New Zealand First/Labour coalition.
This morning, Federated Farmers congratulated Jacinda Ardern and coalition partners, and announced they are ready to engage and work with the new coalition government. President Katie Milne said it’s time to cast aside the division that fuelled the election campaign and remember that the country’s future prosperity and economic health depended on sharing a common ground. She encouraged farmers to look ahead with a positive outlook.
Whilst many farmers echoed Feds' move to work together, including Dairy Women’s Network Trustee and DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown, who tweeted “Farmers are New Zealanders too & we all want good outcomes!”, many farmers see what’s ahead as anything but positive.
Ian Healey wrote on Rural News’ Facebook “We are #@#@## now two Muppets together.” Mark Wilson added “Either way he went we were all going to be losers ! But this is going to be a train wreak”. Shirene Mosaed Heffer said “We are in for a rough ride.”
Amongst the majority negative reactions, many famers brought up the issue of MMP no longer being a suitable system for New Zealand’s democracy. “What a crap system that let this happen the way it did. The party with highest % should lead any coalition discussion!” wrote Christine Frost on Dairy News’ Facebook. Chanelle (@Chandy229) tweeted “I want a referendum on MMP ASAP”.
Rural News Group will be monitoring the new coalition government closely over the coming months and how it will affect farmers. Let us know what you think. Tweet us @Rural_News or @Dairy_News, or contact us here.
OPINION: Last week's revelation that data relating to New Zealand MPs was stolen amid Chinese state-sponsored cyber espionage targeting two arms of the country’s Parliament could test the long-standing trade relations between the two countries.
OPINION: With election day only a few days away and advance voting well underway, there appears to be a mood for change in rural and provincial New Zealand.
Winston Peters has castigated Fonterra for its performance in China and believes there could be more value added to the agriculture sector.
OPINION: With the election looming, both Labour and National have proposed huge cuts from public sector spending.
New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, says there could be more value added to the agriculture sector.
The Commerce Commission says connectivity options for rural New Zealanders are front-of-mind as it begins a formal investigation into the future of the copper network.
Grand Finalists have been selected, all regional finals have concluded, and the journey towards the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is underway.
Hopes of NZ sheepmeat prices picking up anytime soon in the country's key export market of China looks highly unlikely.
Regional councils are welcoming the certainty for councils in today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) announcement by the Government.
ASB says the decision to sign on to the AgriZeroNZ joint venture came out of a wish to be a part of the solution.
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
OPINION: This old mutt understands that NZ Post will soon no longer be delivering to rural addresses on Saturdays.
OPINION: Your old mate notes that research on the make-up of the new parliament shows it is now far more…
