Federated Farmers
Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, has established a news and insights partnership with AgriHQ, the country’s leading rural publisher, to give the farmers of New Zealand a more informed, united and stronger voice. Feds news and commentary appears each week in its own section of the Farmers Weekly print edition and online.
Farmer’s path from darkness to leading light
Today is the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. Jason Herrick's journey highlights the importance of mental health support in farming communities, as he shares how he broke under the overwhelming pressure before getting the help he needed.
Rise of carbon farms ignites fire concerns
David Hayes warns that expanding pine forests threaten jobs and increase fire risks in Wairarapa.
Landowners sidelined in Horizons flood discussions
Ian Strahan criticises Horizons Regional Council for leaving landowners out of flood management plans.
A brief history: 125 years of Federated Farmers
The farming and rural advocacy group's origin story began in Kaitaia on 18 September 1899.
Federated Farmers marks 125 years of advocating for rural communities
The Federation’s roots go back to 18 September 1899, when the first properly constituted Farmers’ Union branch was formed in Kaitaia.
Training reform crucial for farming
Federated Farmers education spokesperson says the system hasn’t been delivering for key industries like farming.
Government must pull regional councils into line: Feds
Federated Farmers urges government to stop councils from changing freshwater rules.
Bex Green: ‘A real dairy leader’
Bex Green advocates for dairy farmers, addressing staffing issues and high visa fees, while balancing farm life.
Feral animals costing farmers a fortune
Pests cost Kiwi farmers $213M yearly. Federated Farmers say DOC’s $13M budget isn’t enough.
Te Mana o te Wai costs still unclear
Federated Farmers urge Otago Regional Council to delay new freshwater rules.
Farmers fume over school bus cuts
Hawke’s Bay leader warns rural school bus cuts may devastate communities and force families to move.
Farmers call for coordinated action on pests
One farm faces a severe deer problem, while the other struggles with geese, but what they both need is better pest control.
Farmers say ECan wasting time and money
Federated Farmers urge ECan to slow new regulations, citing concerns over rushed RPS and waste of funds.
Filipino farmer’s path to dairy leadership
Kristine Asuncion went from losing her farm in the Philippines to thriving as a dairy farmer and community leader in NZ.
Pine tree report ‘horror story’ for farmers
Federated Farmers say the government needs to rethink policies causing farms to turn into pine forests, which hurts rural areas and food production.
McClay: Farm confidence will come back
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay is optimistic that cutting red tape will boost farmer confidence despite current economic challenges.
Farmers urged to cast vote in Fish & Game elections
Farming group says voting will allow for better representation and collaboration between the two organisations.
McIntyre still fired up for farmer advocacy
Feds dairy chair Richard McIntyre is running for DairyNZ board, and while the two organisations have very different roles to play as part of ‘Team Ag’, they still need to work constructively together in a well-coordinated way, he says.
Wairoa being ‘strangled’ by poor road access
Poor road access, sky-high freight costs, and “three and a half seasons where it just hasn’t stopped raining” have hammered Wairoa’s maize growers.
Gene tech conversation a positive step: Feds
Federated Farmers will be engaging in the Select Committee process on behalf of their members to ensure legislation is fit-for-purpose and adequately addresses any possible risks.
Emissions tools coming 2026/27
Kiwi startup Ruminant BioTech are working on a methane-inhibiting bolus for ruminant livestock.
Feds win saves Kaikoura farmers $900 a year
Kaikoura District Council has agreed to charge semi-rural and rural ratepayers slightly less than their urban counterpart.
Sharemilkers lose ‘a guiding light’
“Jeff was a fella who flew under the radar – a good bugger, a heart and soul of the community.”
Drinking water rule changes a win for farmers
Farming families will be breathing a sigh of relief at the easing of drinking water rules.
‘Common sense’ prevails in consent saga: Feds
Farmer groups have welcomed government action to clarify discharge consenting provisions in the Resource Management Act.
Changed mindset needed for next generation
The traditional pathways for dairy farmers like sharemilking are still there, but they seem to be getting tougher and tougher each year, a farming leader says.
Visa changes a ‘pressure release’ for dairy
Federated Farmers went in to bat for farmers, which saw the Government agree to fast-track and prioritise dairy-related work via applications.
Northland farmer warns of risks to expressway
Colin Hannah welcomes Northland's new expressway but fears political interference could derail it.
Nuffield Scholar says ‘policy-speak’ must go
Kerry Worsnop urges policymakers to involve farmers early to improve understanding and collaboration.
Otago Feds demand transparency on costs
ORC urged to reveal costs and impacts of new freshwater rules amid concerns of poor community consultation and elevated expenses.
Fighting for farming flexibility in Gore
The standard Sites and Areas of Significance to Māori approach in district plans is for mana whenua and other iwi to identify sites of significance to them.
Calling out misinformation about nitrates in drinking water
Federated Farmers calls out claims linking high nitrate levels in NZ water to bowel cancer.
Bill blocks emission target inconsistency
Federated Farmers back bill to prevent regional councils from regulating greenhouse gases.
Great goat hunt offers win-win
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition kicks off next month, with $70,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.
Risk of farm trusts being over-taxed
David Boyce of Perpetual Guardian cautions that New Zealand's recent trust tax rate hike to 39% could lead to unintended overtaxation for many farming trusts.
Teamwork key to beating wallabies
Matt Simpson, Federated Farmers, urges coordinated pest control for wallabies, emphasizing community involvement and strategic operations.
Feds get politicians out of Wellington
The boots-on-the-ground meeting included reps from DairyNZ, BLNZ, Groundswell, Rural Women, Young Farmers, Rural Support Trust, and other farming groups.
Farmers taking extra work as pinch looms
Otago sheep and beef farmer has had to get creative to boost cashflow on farm, as there's "zero profitability in sheep at the moment".
Big turnaround job underway, PM tells farmers
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledges it’s a tough time for Kiwi farmers, with on-farm inflation and interest rates through the roof; pledges to cut red tape and boost economic.
Wayne Langford: the real work starts now
Reflecting on the past 12 months for farmers, Wayne Langford says things “weren’t looking too flash” when he stepped into the presidency.
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