Greenpeace should lose charitable status - Feds
Federated Farmers is arguing for controversial environmentalist group Greenpeace to be stripped of its charitable status.
OPINION: After Jacinda Ardern and Labour were asked to form the government following the 2017 elections, Federated Farmers sent an email out to its executives asking if any of them had a working relationship with any Labour MPs. The answer was no one did.
For the next six years, an avalanche of regulations around water quality, environment, winter grazing and climate change was dumped on the farming sector. While industry body groups like DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb NZ tried to work with Labour on emissions pricing, the rural sector turned its back on Labour, stripping the party of almost all rural seats in the last election.
It’s inevitable that one day, six or even nine years from today, Labour will be returned as the government. And this time, Feds don’t want to be caught short. Hence, earlier this month, Feds leaders hosted Chris Hipkins, Carmel Sepuloni, Willow Jean Prime, Jo Luxton, Jan Tinetti, Rachel Brooking, Tangi Utikere, Glen Bennett and their senior staff for two days in the Waikato. The first day included meetings and presentations. Day two included three farm visits. DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb NZ, Groundswell and Rural Women NZ were also represented.
Feds president Wayne Langford explained that the last few years under a Labour government were incredibly challenging for rural communities, and farmer confidence hit record lows.
“There’s no denying that part of the problem was that we didn’t have strong relationships between Labour and farmers, and there wasn’t a lot of trust or understanding. That’s why we’ve really invested some time trying to establish relationships, grow their understanding of farming, and hopefully build some trust.”
To win back farmers’ trust, Labour will need to show that it’s willing to drop its arrogant attitude, on display during its last three years in power, and show some respect to the farming sector. Talkfests and farm visits alone won’t be enough to win back the rural vote.
Two butcheries have claimed victory at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards for 2025.
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
The Climate Change Commission’s 2025 emissions reduction monitoring report reveals steady progress on the reduction of New Zealand’s climate pollution.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
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