PC1 Dilemma
OPINION: All eyes are on the Government as Waikato farmers seek urgent help to fend off the controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1), designed to manage nutrient discharges into waterways in the region.
PM Chris Luxon with Power Farming chair Geoff Maber at the opening of the company’s new facility at Pokeno late last month.
Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.
Located at Pukekohe, south of Auckland, the new complex was officially opened in March by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Power Farming is New Zealand’s most successful family-owned agricultural business with more than 75 years’ experience and 21 dealerships across the country. The company say its latest collaboration with JCB Construction is a fine fit for Power Farming, given that JCB has become Britain’s most successful family-owned business since their formation in 1945.
Power Farming executive director Brett Maber says the purposebuilt facility represents a multi-million-dollar investment for the business.
“We are very proud to establish this new branch alongside JCB Construction.
“This undertaking reinforces our commitment and confidence in the agricultural sector, and now for the first time also positions our brand for future growth in the construction sector too.”
Prime Minister Luxon acknowledged the importance of brands like Power Farming and JCB Construction to the New Zealand economy, and the respective roles they can play in contributing towards the government’s future-focussed infrastructure plan.
“This is a great example of a fantastic New Zealand business investing in construction and agriculture, and it’s fantastic to see a familyowned business wanting to take the step of investment to make sure we can serve the agriculture industry alongside the construction and building industry in a much better way.”
JCB’s group executive director from the UK, George Bamford, who also attended the opening, along with JCB’s director for the pacific region, Richard Myles, says the company is very optimistic about the platform this partnership presents for their brand in New Zealand.
“It’s great to see Power Farming investing in the JCB brand and expanding into the construction business. We are very optimistic about a bright future for the Power Farming Group Construction team as we raise the brand profile in the New Zealand market with this exciting partnership.”
Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.
OPINION: Alistair Carmichael raises some interesting questions about striking a balance between profitability in farming and preserving the character of rural communities.
Ploughing champions Mark Dillon and Malcolm Taylor earned the right to represent the country at the World Ploughing Championships in Osijek, Croatia, on 5 and 6 September, after winning their titles at the New Zealand Ploughing Championships in Middlemarch in 2025.
The man appointed to lead Gallagher's global Animal Management business through the next stage of growth believes the wearables boom is here.
Horowhenua organic dairy farmers Ange and Wayne Moxham have taken their business to a new level.
Federated Farmers' new vice president Sandra Faulkner says the issue of adverse events emergency management and infrastructure needs to be taken out of the three-year political cycle.

A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any…
OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.…