Wednesday, 09 April 2025 10:15

Should've waited

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: The proposed RMA reforms took a while to drop but were well signaled after the election.

Did that stop councils like Southland's forging ahead with regional plans that would probably have to be rewritten after the RMA reforms arrived?

Like hell, Feds Southland 'pres' Jason Herrisk and colleagues won a court decision granting a 'stay' on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until changes can be made to section 70 of the RMA by central government, but the Hound reckons the fight shouldn't have been necessary in the first place.

The plan, which should have been delayed anyway, would have required Southland farmers to apply for expensive resource consents just to continue farming.

"The activist groups who initially brought this case, like Fish & Game and Forest & Bird, should be hanging their heads in shame," Herrick says.

More like this

Mark Hooper Joins NZPork Board as Independent Director

Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.

Farmers Warned Over Track Dangers After Wairarapa Floods

The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.

Wool Impact and Campaign for Wool NZ Merge to Form Collective

Will a stronger, more coordinated voice help rebuild confidence and improve returns in the wool sector?

NZ Pest Crisis Costs Farmers $466M a Year — Survey

New Zealand's pest problem has reached crisis point, according to Federated Farmers' second National Pests Survey, which shows farmers are spending more money and effort on control — yet pest numbers keep climbing faster than they were two years ago.

RMA Reform Still on Track Despite Wellington Drama — Feds

Despite political shenanigans in Wellington, farmers are confident that Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms will get over the line in this term of Parliament.

Featured

Editorial: Backing Dairy

OPINION: The stats speak for themselves.

DairyNZ Resilient Pastures Trial Expands Across North Island

Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.

DairyNZ Sets Out Election Priorities for Dairy Farmers

Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.

Ballance Farm Environment Awards Launch on West Coast

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.

DairyNZ's Tracy Brown Flags El Nino Risk for Dairy Farms

Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.

Mark Hooper Joins NZPork Board as Independent Director

Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.