What a week it’s been at Fieldays! Every year there are more people, more exhibitors, and more innovation. It’s no surprise that farming continues to deliver enormous results for New Zealand.
This week, I saw the latest forecasts showing primary sector export earnings of $59.9 billion for the year ending 30 June 2025, that’s $3 billion more than projected in December. Even better, exports are expected to reach $65.7 billion by 2029. The world can’t get enough of what Kiwi farmers produce, and we need to keep supporting farmers to achieve these great results.
On Tuesday, I spoke about why the Government can’t rest on its laurels when it comes to backing farmers and highlighted the issue of Te Mana o te Wai. My good mate Mark Cameron launched a petition to remove these vague spiritual concepts from consenting decisions.
I also signed a partnership with industry leaders to bolster our defences against Foot and Mouth Disease, and announced changes to recognise farmers who are looking after nature.
The best part of Fieldays is talking directly with farmers. We heard from many of you who are pleased with the direction the Government is heading, and plenty were heading home with new gear thanks to the Government’s Investment Boost policy.
There were also many valuable concerns raised – frustrations obtaining water consents, lack of lending from banks making it harder to grow, and worries over the Paris Agreement and the treatment of farmers in climate policy
These are serious issues, and you can be assured that ACT will continue to be your advocate in Wellington.
Here’s what ACT is focusing on for farmers:
- Reforming the RMA to prioritise property rights
- Keeping agriculture out of the ETS
- Secured a select committee inquiry into rural banking
- Scrapped the ute tax
- Introduced the Regulatory Standards Bill to stop dumb rules before they start
- Cutting waste to help reduce inflation and rural interest rates
- Fixed winter grazing and stock exclusion rules
- Changing health and safety laws to protect landowners from liability when they allow recreational access
- Reinstated 90-day trials and rebalanced employment law
- Ensured methane is measured accurately
- Axed He Waka Eke Noa and ruled out emissions taxes on farmers
- Made freshwater farm plans more affordable and practical
- Unwinding Labour's Significant Natural Areas (SNA) regime and introducing a framework for biodiversity credits
- Lifted the RSE cap so growers can get the staff they need
- Begun rewriting the Arms Act to undo Labour’s rushed reforms
- Slashed red tape for importing agricultural and veterinary products
- Campaigning to remove Te Mana o te Wai
I joined ACT because they’re the only party that has consistently stood up for farmers, even when no one else would. ACT opposed the Zero Carbon Bill, defended licensed firearms owners, and rejected He Waka Eke Noa from the start.
We’re proud of the real change we’re delivering in Government, but there’s much more to do.
There's also the problem with local government. We can do a lot from Government but unless councils buck up their ideas, our efforts are undermined.
That's why ACT's Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton launched our first policy for our local government campaign this year.
Ratepayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for climate activism, and ACT councillors will put a stop to it. In practice this means no local emissions reduction plans, ‘climate emergency’ declarations, or junkets to climate conferences. Most importantly ACT councillors will ensure emissions are disregarded in all consenting and land use decisions.
Spending will be based on value for money, not carbon emissions so we have more money left over for continued improvement of infrastructure like stormwater and stopbanks.
In the coming days, ACT Local will begin announcing candidates for October's elections. We will cut waste, keep rates down, and focus on delivering the services that matter – like roads, rubbish, and infrastructure.
Thank you for your continued support, and for everything you do to keep New Zealand growing.