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ACT calls a halt
The ACT Party has launched a petition to stop Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change One.
The plan change, more than a decade in the making, seeks to improve Waikato River quality and is expected to cost farmers dearly. It is currently subject of an Environment Court appeal.
ACT’s petition, demanding the suspension of the plan alongside an economic evaluation, follows last triennium council chair’s Pamela Storey’s claim that only the Government can halt the plan change.
If that is so ACT, one of the coalition Government’s partners, has at least a chance of a hearing.
ACT MP Simon Court, who is spearheading the petition that has so far received more than 200 signatures, said the plan change would cost farmers.
“PC1 is going to require thousands of consents and entire parts of the Waikato region could be impossible to use for farming and growing.
“Instead, we’re going to have a new system, new plans for every region. We’re aiming to have the whole thing transitioned through into a new Natural Environment Act and Planning Act.”
The petition also states that PC1 threatens food production, jobs and the economy in one of New Zealand’s most productive regions.
Cambridge dairy farmer and new regional council member, Garry Reymer, has met with Court over the matter.
He felt Resource Management Act reforms could also scupper the plan change.
“What’s the point of spending money to comply when the plan might only be in place for nine months or so?” Reymer, Waikato Federated Farmers’ economics spokesperson, said.
“Even without PC1, there are still rules and guidelines. The big issue here is cost of compliance that may prove to be unnecessary anyway.”
Council’s view on the plan has been clear, given moves to implement it.
“Court couldn’t stress enough that the RMA was in for a major shakeup. Chris Bishop (the minister for RMA reform) has written to all councils asking them to stop any work on plan changes,” Reymer told The News.
“The Environment Court will make a decision, but how will council respond?
The government is saying farmers should do nothing because most of the points will not be relevant under a new Resource Management Act.”
Reymer echoed Court’s concerns about the impact the plan change would have on
farmers.
“The last thing we need is to have to import vegetables from Australia,” he said.
“Most of our rural towns could then become ghost towns if farmers had to reduce production due to regulations.”
Reymer is not opposed to all plans.
“Do a farm plan. Most dairy farmers will probably have one as part of their supply agreements with the milk processors, and some sheep and beef farms could be
covered by accredited supply agreements with meat processors as well,” he said.
“Farm plans shouldn’t be onerous; they won’t do you any harm and it’s actually good farming practice anyway.”
Farm environment plans help manage environmental risks while supporting profitability and sustainability. They record completed environmental work and suggest actions to further protect land and water quality.
Methane target reduced
Major changes to New Zealand’s climate policy are being welcome by Federated Farmers.
The Government announced on Sunday that the current 2050 methane target of 24 to 47 per cent will be significantly reduced to 14 to 24 per cent.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford said Kiwi farmers were bogged down in completely unscientific, unaffordable and unrealistic climate policy for far too long.
“At times it’s felt like absolute madness that we’d even be talking about policies that would shut down farms, send production offshore, and completely undermine New Zealand’s economy.
Federated Farmers made reviewing New Zealand’s methane reduction targets one of its 12 top policy priorities to help restore farmer confidence before the 2023 General Election.
“The Government has also categorically
ruled out unfairly putting a price on agricultural emissions like methane,” Langford said.
“This is a major step forward and will be a huge relief for farming families who have had the threat of a massive tax hanging over our heads threatening the viability of our businesses.
“A methane tax would have achieved the opposite of its intent - forcing the closure of Kiwi farms, driving production to less efficient countries, and increasing global emissions.”
Federated Farmers is also welcoming news that New Zealand’s climate laws will be rewritten to align with the wording of the Paris Agreement and ensure food production is protected.
“The world’s growing population is desperate for healthy, nutritious and affordable food. New Zealand can play a significant role in meeting that need,” Langford said.
DISHER CONTRACTING
Cambridge farmer, Garry Reymer, is calling on council to suspend costly reforms. Photos: supplied
Right angles and bank withdrawals
By Jon Rawlinson
It can be tricky knowing where to catch Fish and Game’s Adam Daniel now that the freshwater fishing season is officially open.
It’s a safe bet he’ll be somewhere in Waipā, King Country or South Waikato alongside other keen anglers, including many farmers.
“Rural people do tend to get much better value out of their fishing licences,” the Auckland/ Waikato fisheries manager said.
“We sell a lot in the Auckland/ Waikato region, but people who live in Hamilton, and especially Auckland, don’t have the opportunities that our rural communities do.
“We’re blessed with some extremely good rivers and streams throughout the King Country, Waipā and Waikato – I really enjoy fishing there as well as on the Whanganui and Whakapapa Rivers.”
The region’s waterways netted a fair haul of anglers on opening day, October 1, with brown trout topping the menu, Daniel said.
“It was pretty good in the morning, especially as it was a midweek opener, and some anglers did really well. Anglers on the Whakapapa landed 15 fish on opening day and, usually, our season just gets better as the summer goes on.”
Well stocked rivers and streams – in part due to an absence of winter flooding – are encouraging more people to cast off.
“In the last few years, we’ve had cool summers and limited high flow events on our rivers during the spring. Last year, the Awakino and the Whakapapa, for example, had some of the highest fish counts we’ve ever seen and this season our fish stocks are in very good shape.”
As a result, the season has
been extended, in some cases indefinitely.
“The Auckland/Waikato region’s had significant rule changes this year. We’ve opened up a lot more streams to anglers and we’ve extended the season for most streams that aren’t spawning streams,” Daniel said.
“It means that we can now fish pretty much year-round on most of our rivers now. This has added a lot of extra opportunities for the same price – people can get even more value from their licences.”
As there are regional variations for the opening of some waterways, anglers are encouraged to check regulations before heading out, Daniel said.
A little free kai can go a long way towards balancing the household food budget, encouraging people to make some healthy ‘bank withdrawals’.
“Being able to put a feed on the table is all part of the attraction of fishing, especially during tough times,” Daniel said.
In addition, fishing has been shown to be healthy for our minds too.
“There are significant mental health benefits from fishing. Recreational and outdoor time, often with family, is really positive. Recent studies sponsored by Fish and Game have really shown that, basically, the more you fish, the better our mental health should be.”
The study was released shortly before Mental Health Awareness Week (October 6–12). The largest of its kind, it concluded that fishing can significantly boost wellbeing and mental health.
Among other findings, it revealed that active anglers were less likely to experience
psychological distress, thoughts of self-harm, and anxiety.
Fishing provides health benefits for our environment also. In total, Fish and Game expects to sell approximately 140,000 licences this season with licence fees helping the organisation to protect New Zealand’s waterways.
Hamilton’s Jim Reti fishing on the Kaniwhaniwha Stream (near Pirongia) on opening day.
Adam Daniel landing a brown trout on the Waipapa River
Sharna Brown pictured with son Ryker, aged two – ReWild Snap & Share Fish and Game Licence [hoto competition winner. Photos: supplied Fish and Game.
The best of both worlds
By Chris Gardner
Woodward met Susie, the daughter of an Upstate New York dairy farmer in Canterbury while working on Synlait’s 3000 cow farm in Dunsandel. They were two of 19 staff.
The couple married and graduated to a 50/50 sharemilker set up with 10000 of their own cows in Canterbury.
They had four children, Kylie, 15, John, 13, Jack, 11, and Charlie, eight, before moving north.
Then, while visiting family in Tirau in 2019, they started to look around at Waikato farms and found what is now Cowgora Hills on Puktetawai Road near Ōtorohanga up for sale.
“We had our eye on a place in Raglan, and this was on the way through,” Michael said.
“I grew up on undulating land, and it reminded me of home,” said Susie.
They also enjoyed the feel of the township, with its hanging baskets.
“This is a good town.”
Since 2019 Michael and Susie Woodward have owned and operated Cowgora Hills, a blended A2 milk dairy cow and angora goat farm.
A mixed herd of cows and goats graze the land, each consuming different parts of the pasture.
The pasture-based farm is a far cry from the cut and
carry system operated by Susie’s parents in the US.
Back in the US, farmers are reluctant to share information about their business, so Susie welcomes the openness of the kiwi agricultural sector.
The 170-hectare farm, with 150 effective hectares, supports 300 cows supplying to Synlait and 150 angora goats supplying to local and overseas buyers.
But they will soon be looking to supply to another dairy company as Synlait exits the North Island.
The move to the North Island was not without its challenges, with Susie saying the first year or so came close to breaking them.
Once they had shipped 1,000 cows north, the country went into lockdown, making it had for the family to settle into a new community.
Then they had to get their herd accustomed to the hill country, which was quite different from the flat farms it was used too.
Things quickly changed after the pandemic, with their sons joining the Ōtewā School where Michael was co-opted onto the school board four years ago. He has also recently joined the board of Ōtorohanga
Michael Woodward never wanted to milk cows.
after the son of Mohair New Zealand founder John
Kylie Woodward,15, helps out on her parents’ farm.
Michael Woodward holds an Angora goat.
College where their daughter is a pupil.
He has also just been elected onto Ōtorohanga District Council.
The Woodwards employ one staff member.
They are in their second season of twice a day milking, having milked once a day since their arrival at Cowgora Hills.
“Financial pressure has forced us into that decision,” Michael said. “We hope to go back to once a day.”
Last season the farm averaged 400 kilogrammes of milksolids per cow, or 110,000 kg of milksolids –10,000 kilogramme more than once per day milking.
The Woodwards are
advocates of the Dairy Industry Awards, having been a finalist and regional winner.
“We have got better at what we do,” said Susie.
The feedback from judges helped.
Susie now serves on the awards committee and the Mohair New Zealand Producers’ Board.
About 80 per cent of the mohair production is split into 17 different grades and sold overseas where it is used in blankets and suits.
Angora fibre produced by the Woodwards goats sells for between $4 and $65 per kilogramme, depending on grade.
They supplement their
fibre, which is sheared twice per year, with fibre from other producers. “I will drive up to
Northland with a trailer and pick it up,” Michael said.
“We’ll do big, 12-hour days.”
The Woodwards love life on their Ōtorohanga farm.
Susie and Michael Woodward.
Feeding time.
Peak production
By Jesse Wood
Dairy farmers are optimistic about the season as they reach peak production.
Following a drought, high rainfall and a record payout, October is an important month for farmers.
“If we get of an interest rate drop again in the next six months, we’re going to be in a reasonable spot, but it depends on putting production in the vat,” Pukeatuabased DairyNZ board member Chris Lewis said.
“Things are looking alright for the next six months. The record payout is very welcomed. But it makes up for a few years of being lacklustre. One year doesn’t make a lifetime of achievements. Farmers are hoping for it to be maintained for the season.
“We should get some summer rainfall, and I think farmers are going to be reasonably optimistic.
“The good thing is the beef and sheep farmers are also doing all right in our area. It’s not very often you get the triple whammy. Lamb, beef and dairy.”
Lewis said it’s not often that all three industries have “a little bit of optimism” and it should be celebrated as it’s good for everyone.
Heading into October, the rainfall hasn’t taken a break and
it’s affecting many farmers across the region.
Crops will be planted late due to the weather.
“October is an important month and busy month for farmers. Busier than spring,” Lewis said.
“We’ve started mating. We’ve got crops to go in the ground and it’s our peak production month.
“We had the drought in autumn, but since May we’ve had big rainfall months. We usually get an average of 1100 millilitres year to year. We’ve already had that, with a drought.’
The last week has been just as wet as winter and Lewis said he’s hoping for a week or two of fine weather soon.
“As a farmer, you’ve got all that to contend with planning wise and mentally. It’s still challenging,” Lewis said.
“At the moment, our cows are very slow cycling because all the wet and cloudy days we’ve had.
“You want the cows to peak and if the cows don’t peak high at the moment, it’s hard to keep the momentum going for the rest of the season. It’s a critical month, October.
“If you don’t produce anything, you don’t get paid the record prices. I’m a glass half full.”
He said although it’s more expensive to do business than it
was 12 months ago, “we’re still better off”.
Waikato Federated Farmers president Phil Sherwood echoes the sentiment of optimism.
“We’re forever the optimistic. You keep going and plan for another good year. You put the drought behind you and take the season as it comes,” Sherwood said.
“There’s a fair bit of optimism out there. Farmer confidence is fairly good according to the Federated Farmers surveys. Obviously, on the back of beef prices being good too.
“On the back also, of interest rates dropping. The only thing we can do is just keep watching farm working expenses and my understanding is the banks are having a lot of capital paid back in.”
Sherwood said most farmers will be optimistically cautious and “looking to make hay while the sun shines” as the payout will drop eventually.
“It’s that optimism, we always love this time of year. Everything’s full go, cows are blooming, production looks like it’s up on a monthly basis,” Sherwood said.
“Through the King Country area, they’re still waiting for that grass to fire away but as soon as you get north of Ōtorohanga, it all seems to be in good stead for the Waikato.”
Chris Lewis pictured with calves on his Pukeatua dairy farm. Photo: Chris Gardner
Rural mail cuts anger community
By Jon Rawlinson and Viv Posselt
Rural communities are reeling at the prospect of reduced postal services.
“I am very disappointed to hear they intend to cut back on the service,” said Rural Women New Zealand Waikato president Janet Williams.
“Many people feel isolated as it is, let alone without the connectivity of having mail and other items delivered to them.”
Recently approved by the government, a new deed of understanding reduces the minimum number of days per week for postal delivery.
Urban addresses need only receive mail two days per week, three at rural properties.
As Waikato has an extensive farming community, it is one of the largest areas affected, Williams said.
“People on farms, smallholdings and the like still get a lot of stuff delivered, essential farm and personal supplies,” she said.
“The man who does our rural delivery said he has no idea how he would fit his delivery requirements into three days a week as opposed to the five days he currently covers.”
The deed reduces minimums rather than maximums. However, as it also requires NZ
Post to ‘operate a commercially sustainable mail service’ without government funding, the new minimums could become standard.
Williams said people living closer to main centres could more readily access everything they needed, but delivery to rural addresses was often crucial because of the distance as well as the fact that “internet connectivity in those areas is shocking,” she said.
“Not everything can be done via email.
Some older people are reluctant to get their bills on their phones or computers, and I know as a JP that there are times you need to have mail with proof of name and address.”
Cutbacks would cut deep in the heart of rural King Country too, Rural Women New Zealand’s Waitanguru chair, Maree Jones, said.
“It’s frustrating as they already charge us more for rural delivery, yet they want to decrease our level of service? It also reduces options for delivery of perishable goods
– we’re already finding that a lot of places won’t deliver perishables to our houses.”
Rural internet and cell phone reception can be sketchy at best, Jones said.
“Rural broadband isn’t exactly wonderful as it keeps cutting out and it’s just not as reliable as it is in town. Also, you can’t send parcels over the internet.”
The minimum number of postal outlets is also decreasing, from 880 to 500 and then to 400 over four years. While the number of communal collection points will be increased to offset reduced deliveries, RWNZ’s national
GRASS HARVESTING
• Kuhn Combi Round Baler / Wrappers
/
president, Sandra Matthews, is concerned further cuts will come.
“Rural communities are made up of hundreds of small businesses. Forcing people to travel long distances to access a post outlet or shared mail hubs creates a significant barrier. This is a particular problem for older and more isolated rural residents, and it makes doing business in rural areas even harder.”
As a State-Owned Enterprise, NZ Post is obligated to act with social responsibility, Matthews said. RWNZ is calling on the government to rethink the move.
“We want a geographic criterion in NZ Post’s Deed of Understanding to protect access in rural and remote areas, a review of NZ Post’s operating model to identify more equitable service options and for NZ Post to be upfront about the post outlets in rural areas it plans on closing.”
Struck with the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the updated deed follows consultation with rural communities, the ministry’s James Hartley said.
“In recognition of their feedback, the government has included a greater number of minimum delivery days compared to urban areas in the deed to ensure rural communities are not disproportionately affected,” he said.
“This includes a safeguard against any rural retail store closures in the first year, unless circumstances are beyond NZ Post’s control.”
Changes are needed, he said.
“Without these changes, the cost of maintaining current services would not be financially sustainable.”
CULTIVATION/PLANTING
Rural Women New Zealand Waitanguru chair Maree Jones is frustrated at plans to cut rural mail services.
Sheep and beef farmers bullish
By Jon Rawlinson
A scorching summer drought had farmers praying for rain early this year.
Now, wetter weather is encouraging many to try and summon some sun… but not too much.
“Recently, the grass has come on, but more sunshine would be the best thing for us right now,” Te Anga sheep and beef farmer Tim Stokes said.
“For me, the previous summer wasn’t too bad, but going through the winter it was a bit tighter.”
Stokes was one of many farmers to send some of his lambs away to be finished rather than see them struggle through the drought.
“I did send some store lambs away, but mostly because the opportunity came up to get good prices, and the lambs I held on to did well. There’s always a trade off if you’re taking feed away from breeding animals, but I don’t think it was too detrimental for me this year.”
Earlier in the year, there were concerns that ewes battered by the drought might not be in top shape for lambing. However, it appears recent rain has dampened the drought’s impact somewhat.
“My ewes are possibly a little lighter than usual, but still in reasonable condition,” Stokes said. “I scanned about the same number of ewes as last year, or maybe we’re slightly ahead.”
Overall, the fallout from the drought will become clearer during weaning.
In the meantime, Stokes is looking to take advantage of a ‘bull market’ which is also paying strong prices.
“I’m looking at, maybe, offloading some of my fattening cattle because there’s strong
demand and good prices for beef,” he said.
“If I sell now, I can build up a bit of money to help me through the start of summer and then see how it progresses after that.”
Not too far afield, Waitomo Federated Farmers branch chair Chris Irons is also calling for a little sun.
“The grass is coming away, just not as quickly as everyone would like,” Irons said.
“But too much rain at the moment’s not a good thing – so we want more sunshine, but just the right amount.”
Irons said the weather has been good for lambing.
“Survivability has been, probably, up a little because of the August weather. A lot of farmers have been saying they’ve had fewer ewes die during lambing, which is definitely a good thing.”
However, he isn’t counting his lambs until
they’re out the gate.
“Farmers who lambed in August seem to have had a pretty good survival rate. As for the ones who lambed later, in September, I’m not too sure how that will pan out because of the stormier weather more recently,” he said.
“We won’t really know until weaning. People might have good docking tallies, but what really matters is what goes out the gate.”
Strong lamb prices have helped farmers, but what goes up will come down.
“Prices are high because of limited stock and farmers want to put extra weight on their stock to try and capitalise on the spring growth,” Irons said.
“Prices will go down, but no one can know exactly when and by how much.”
In general, Irons said King Country farmers have cause to be positive.
“Everyone’s (more or less) in the same boat. I’ve talked to quite a few farmers and things are fairly tight at the moment, but they’re reasonably optimistic,” he said.
“We’re now on the right side of spring, days are getting longer and warmer and prices are good. However, Mother Nature will decide what happens, which way the wind blows.”
Te Kūiti’s Jack Fagan said there is cause for optimism across rural King Country. A champion competitive shearer, he also runs beef cattle on a lease block.
“Farming in general is looking very optimistic at the moment,” he said.
“Beef’s had the highest jump in prices we’ve seen in a generation. I think farmers are over the moon with that, but it also means their margins will tighten because of the cost of replacements.”
Prices for beef and sheep meat should drop, as usual, over summer.
“When the grass starts drying off and there’s less feed, the meat price comes down because everyone wants to offload more animals so there’s more supply in the market.”
In addition, wool has been fetching healthy returns, helping farmers recoup more of their shearing costs.
“I would love it if farmers could, one day, breed sheep again purely for wool,” Fagan said. “Until then, it’s just awesome for our sheep farmers to get a good return on their wool.”
Sheep Farmers
Chris Irons
Tim Stokes
Prognosis positive? A roadshow review
By Jon Rawlinson
Rural health advocate Dr John Burton of Kāwhia says only time will tell whether ministers attending a rural health roadshow will act on what they heard.
Associate health minister Matt
Doocey and minister for rural communities Mark Patterson visited Te Kūiti on September 23 as part of the roadshow.
“They certainly came across as being very genuine, but the proof of the pudding is always in the eating,” Burton said.
“Being politicians, they’re quite polished and able to speak very well, but I think they were listening as well as talking.”
Relatively recent initiatives –including a recently green-lit, rural-focused medical school in Hamilton and health hubs in the
regions – have been welcomed by Burton, but improvement won’t come overnight.
“I think there’s a huge time gap, which definitely is a problem with politics. Politicians tend to play the short game, but we need someone who’s going to make long-term commitments,” Burton said.
“Some problems were identified 20 years ago, which is when things really needed to start happening. Even by starting to address them now, we will have to wait quite a long time before changes actually have a significant effect.”
Te Kūiti was the tenth stop on the roadshow, intended to help address such issues as lack of access to healthcare in rural areas.
The government is acting on plans outlined in the budget to implement rural health hubs through the Rural and Remote Urgent Care Prototype Project.
Doocey expects feedback at a grassroots level will help support these efforts.
“These roadshows are an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from rural communities, such as Te Kūiti, and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be,” he said.
“Te Kūiti is home to one of six rural urgent care prototypes being rolled out across the country this year. Each will test practical improvements to rural
services, such as improved access to diagnostics, on-call pharmacy support, and digital tools to back up rural clinicians.”
This targeted support will lead to extended support and improved access, Doocey said.
“Access to healthcare is one of the biggest concerns for people living in rural and remote areas. Budget 2025 invested $164 million over four years to strengthen urgent and after-hours care nationwide, meaning 98 per cent of Kiwis will be able to access these services within one hour’s drive of their home.”
Burton was hopeful that the ministers’ visit would lead to improvements, and he is cautiously optimistic.
“I think they probably do understand rural people, and it’s not rocket science anyway – they’ll be hearing some of the same things repeatedly.”
Even if the long game doesn’t play out as well as expected, the roadshow has to be good in terms of ensuring a mutual understanding of key rural health issues, Burton said.
“This was the first time I’d met the ministers – it was nice to have someone come into our area and talk face-to-face. It does give me more hope that people in power are interested and that they really are trying to do something to improve the state of rural health.”
Thank You, for over 60 years support
For over 60 years, Haddad’s Menswear has had the privilege of dressing the communities— through generations, celebrations, and everyday moments. What began as a dream has grown into a part of this community’s story.
To our loyal customers, friends, and families who have supported us through the decades — thank you. Your kindness, trust, and friendship have meant the world to us. Here’s to the memories made, the people met, and the place we’re proud to call home. With heartfelt gratitude,
John Haddad and the Haddad’s Menswear Family
Dr John Burton, Kāwhia Health Centre
Rural connectivity crisis needs action
Rural New Zealand is being left behind on connectivity, with a new survey showing urgent action is needed from both mobile companies and the Government.
Federated Farmers’ 2025 Rural Connectivity Survey, completed by more than 600 farmers in August and September, highlights ongoing issues.
“Many of our members are telling us loud and clear that their mobile coverage is still patchy and unreliable, both on-farm and on provincial highways,” said Federated Farmers telecommunications spokesperson Mark Hooper.
“It’s very concerning that more than a third of farmers say their mobile coverage has actually worsened over the past year.
“Farmers need telcos to step up urgently and provide solutions that ensure reliable service across the country.”
According to the survey findings, mobile coverage currently averages only 57 per cent of farmland, unchanged since 2022.
While more farmers are connected to 4G and 5G, dropouts remain widespread, causing major issues for everyday operations and health and safety.
“For example, farmers are required to comply with NAIT – a digital livestock recording system – but unreliable connections are obstructing that.
“And what happens if a farmer has an accident on the farm and can’t get
a signal to call for emergency help?” Hooper said.
Internet access is now nearly universal (99 per cent) but continues to frustrate farmers with variable quality, weather-related outages, and high costs.
Wireless broadband use has slipped to 44 per cent, while satellite services such as Starlink have jumped to 36 per cent of respondents, up from 19 per cent in 2022.
“Farmers are increasingly reliant on services like Starlink, but simply relying on an overseas provider isn’t in the best interests of the country,”
Hooper said.
“While many appreciate the coverage and performance they get from Starlink, that’s not a sustainable solution for New Zealand.
“Nor does it support the many small Kiwi businesses that are working hard to provide internet service solutions for their local communities.”
He says fibre expansion is also now a critical issue.
“Fibre currently reaches only three per cent of surveyed rural households, leaving most farmers locked out of the benefits urban people and businesses are enjoying.
“Access to fibre could transform rural connectivity, but right now it’s beyond reach for most farmers.”
Federated Farmers said New Zealand urgently needs a national rural connectivity strategy.
“We need investment in an independent service to give farmers
clear information on local internet providers, the best options for retaining a landline number, and advice on backup power to cover emergencies,” Hooper said.
“It’s crazy that we’re still even talking about rural connectivity problems. I think everyone assumed the service would be so much better by now – but in some cases it’s even got worse.
“Both industry and the Government need to take this really seriously.”
The survey highlights growing concerns as traditional copper landlines disappear.
Only 40 per cent of farmers now use a landline, down from 64 per cent in 2022, and more than a third of copper users have already received disconnection notices.
“It’s really concerning that the vast majority of rural people about to lose their copper landline still haven’t found a replacement,” Hooper said.
“VoIP doesn’t work in a power outage and mobile isn’t available on large areas of farmland. That leaves people feeling dangerously exposed.”
The survey also found farmers consistently report paying high prices for unreliable service, with some describing the situation as “rural discrimination”.
“These stories should be a wake-up call,” Hooper said.
“Rural communities keep this country going, and they deserve connectivity that’s reliable and fair value for money.”
Mark Hooper says mobile coverage is still patchy and unreliable.
New scholarship empowers dairy women
By Chris Gardner
Dairy Women’s Network has launched a new scholarship fund designed to support and empower members with leadership development.
The fund, supported by veterinary diagnostic tools and software provider Idexx, aims to break down systemic barriers and increase the representation of women in decision-making roles across the dairy industry.
Applications are now open for the initiative that will award scholarships up to a total of $10,000 per year, over five years.
The fund’s total commitment of $50,000 will create sustained impact by enabling women members of the network to access leadership training, courses, conferences, and mentorship
Hamilton-based Dairy Women’s Network chief executive Jules Benton described the scholarship as a meaningful initiative.
“We know that leadership capability among women is not lacking—it’s the opportunities and resources that often are,” she said.
“This fund helps bridge that gap.”
The scholarships are intended to support a range of leadership development activities such as training, conferences, mentorships, and further education.
Recipients will also benefit from strengthened networks and
support structures, positioning them for success in governance and management roles within the sector.
Idexx commercial leader Christopher Lambeth said his company was passionate about supporting the people who shape the future of farming.
“Partnering with Dairy Women’s Network to launch this scholarship fund is especially meaningful, it helps open doors for women in the dairy sector to step into leadership roles and make their mark. We’re excited to see the impact these scholarships will have on individuals, their businesses, and the wider industry.
Targets are still a ‘stretch’
Beef and Lamb New Zealand says new agricultural emissions targets will still be a stretch for the agriculture sector.
“New Zealand’s red meat is already among the most climate-efficient in the world, thanks to our pasturebased farming systems,” Chair Kate Acland said. “While our sector has made significant progress on reducing warming emissions, the revised targets, particularly the upper end of the range, will still be very challenging.
She said the previous targets were arbitrarily based on ranges used in an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report that stated those ranges should not be used to set national targets.
“The revised targets better reflect the science around the different warming
impact of short- and long-lived gases. Methane should only be asked to do what is expected of other gases, which is to achieve no additional warming.
“This is by no means letting agriculture off the hook.”
“We must avoid the continued unsustainable stock number losses our sector is already facing due to afforestation caused by New Zealand’s ETS settings.”
Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy said the revised targets were grounded in science and struck the right balance between lowering emissions and maintaining food production.
“Importantly, they give our international customers confidence that New Zealand remains committed to doing its part on climate change.”
3 Things You Might Be Getting Wrong About Retirement Villages
Retirement villages are becoming a popular option for New Zealanders planning their retirement, but it is not the same as buying a house. Most villages provide an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA), which gives you the right to live there and use the facilities rather than legal ownership. Here are a few common misconceptions that can catch people out.
1. “Weekly fees cover all my costs”
Weekly fees usually cover village services (gardening, security, communal facilities), but residents often still pay for utilities, care services, or extra support.
2. “All the money will go back to my family when I die” Your entry payment will likely not be returned straight away when you leave or pass away. In reality, it depends on the terms of the ORA and can often require the unit to be re-licensed to a new resident. Most villages will also deduct what’s often called a deferred management fee which can be up to 20–30% of the original entry price
3. “All Contracts Are the Same”
Not all retirement villages play by the same rules. Fees, exit conditions, and benefits vary, and small differences can have a big impact.
Moving into a retirement village is a big decision, both legally and financially. If you are considering this step, it is important to seek advice from your lawyer, so you fully understand what it means for you and your family.
