Editorial: Goodbye 2024
OPINION: In two weeks we'll bid farewell to 2024. Dubbed by some as the toughest season in a generation, many farmers would be happy to put the year behind them.
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.
Hawke’s Bay’s Silt Recovery Taskforce has received the Collaboration Excellence Award at the Association of Local Government Information Management (ALGIM) Awards.
Construction is underway at Fonterra’s new UHT cream plant at Edendale, Southland following a groundbreaking ceremony recently.
The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) has launched a new summer checklist for animal owners this year.
The Amuri Basin Future Farming (ABFF) Project in North Canterbury is making considerable strides in improving irrigation efficiency, riparian management, and environmental innovation.
A Farmlands shareholder is questioning the rural trader’s decision to more than double its annual card fee.
OPINION: Before we all let The Green Party have at it with their 'bold' emissions reduction plan, the Hound thought…
OPINION: The Feds' latest banking survey shows that bankers are even less popular with farmers than they used to be,…