Farmers’ confidence is at its lowest since 2009 and it’s mostly due to the new Government, says National’s Agriculture spokesperson Nathan Guy.

The blame game over the collapse of agri training provider Taratahi rages on.

National says the government has turned its back on the major agricultural training provider Taratahi.

The Hound reckons former agriculture minister and speaker of the House David Carter is heeding calls for him to get out of the political game.

National is leaving behind last week’s rough and tumble of beltway politics – and the aftermath of the Jami-Lee Ross scandal – to take the pulse of rural New Zealand.

National's position has not changed on a water tax or levy, says Opposition Leader Simon Bridges. 

National Party leader Simon Bridges says the biggest challenges farmers face are the environment and their right to farm.

Technology, not taxes, is the way to deal with water related issues.

Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern says after National came into power it shelved the Environment Court judge David Sheppard’s national policy statement (NPS) initiated by the last Labour government.

The National Government already has a sharp eye on next year’s poll.