Latest news with #SignificantNaturalArea
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Rural Voters Fed Up With Rates Rip-Off
Councils have a mountain to climb to win back the trust of rural ratepayers, Federated Farmers says - and that starts with cutting wasteful spending and sharing the burden more fairly. "At the same time, councils deserve an overhaul of their funding tools and other changes to central government policy," Feds local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says. "Council rates hikes have climbed well above inflation for several decades, but the pressure on ratepayers has only worsened. "When elections happen this October, voters should back candidates who commit to capping general rate increases at inflation - unless there's a genuinely extraordinary reason not to," Faulkner says. She says rural ratepayers are fed up with footing the bill for urban-centric services they don't use and aren't connected to. "It's time to scrap unfair rating differentials and shift towards targeted uniform charges and annual general charges to reduce reliance on property value-based rates." Federated Farmers is also calling for legislation changes that would require binding referenda on any council commercial projects that cost more than $500 per rateable property. "We're not talking about sewage treatment plants, bridges or other such essential infrastructure," Faulkner says. "We're meaning commercial ventures like stadiums, conference centres and marinas that are beyond core council purposes and can destroy balance sheets. "It's not to say these projects can't happen, but ratepayers should get to make the final call." Councils could also save money by sticking to their lane and leaving climate policy to central government, Faulkner says. "Councils should stop duplicating effort - and wasting ratepayer dollars - by setting climate policies. "To do something positive for the environment, councils that haven't already should bring in a rates remission policy for land under QEII covenants, Significant Natural Areas and Outstanding Natural Landscapes. "Given that public conservation values are protected by these mechanisms, farmers deserve rates relief," Faulkner says. Federated Farmers supports RMA and local planning reform that reduces delays, costs and uncertainty, and utilises tools like farm plans rather than consents. Significant Natural Area and environmental rules must be science-based and farmer-friendly. Faulkner says central government also has a major role in the drive for council efficiency and fairness. Federated Farmers believes road users, rather than property owners, should be paying for local roads and bridges - as is the case for State Highways. "We're calling for 90% of local roading maintenance and renewal costs to come from fuel excise tax and road user charges, rather than rates. Currently, the average is only 53%. "Property value rates are a particularly poor mechanism to fund roads for the same reason as general taxation: it doesn't tie those who use roads with those who pay for roads. "This system also lacks logic. In areas with a lot of tourism or freight, for example, locals are left paying for roading networks that serve a wider regional or national purpose." The 10% cost share left with ratepayers would lock in a district say on local road priorities. Other steps from central government are also needed to relieve cost pressures on council, Faulkner says. "Crown land should be rateable, the 30% cap on council uniform annual general charges should be scrapped, and the Beehive should stop unfunded mandates - piling extra responsibilities onto councils with no corresponding funding." Faulkner says with council elections looming, now's a great chance to ask some tough questions of councillors seeking re-election - and those challenging them for seats - on how they'll lessen the rural rates burden.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Sheep And Beef Farmers Deliver Record Red Meat Returns
Press Release – New Zealand Government The global appetite for high-quality, natural protein is continuing to grow, driving strong prices for New Zealand lamb and beef. Minister of Agriculture New Zealand's sheep and beef farmers are delivering record-breaking red meat export sales and driving strong farmgate returns to the rural economy Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. 'March was a standout month for our red meat exporters, with a record $1.26 billion in export sales—a 34 per cent increase on March last year. First quarter exports also hit $3.28 billion, up 28 per cent from last year. This is great news for farmers, processors, and rural communities across New Zealand,' Mr McClay says. The global appetite for high-quality, natural protein is continuing to grow, driving strong prices for New Zealand lamb and beef. 'This reflects a deeper, longer-term shift in global consumer behaviour. People everywhere are turning to clean, high-quality, safe and sustainable animal protein, and New Zealand is delivering,' Mr McClay says. Beef and Lamb New Zealand's February forecast projected red meat export revenue to achieve an additional $1.2 billion for the 2024/25 production year. That outlook is well on track, thanks to our farmers hard work and world leading production, with April Stats NZ data confirming an additional $1.1 billion or 5 per cent increase in red meat exports over the past year bringing the total value to $10.6 billion. The Government is doing its part to ensure farmers see more returns at the farm gate by restoring confidence, slashing red tape, and opening up new opportunities. Key actions to drive growth and keep Wellington out of farming include: Removed agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme Currently banning full farm-to-forest conversions Started the process of replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management Moved to fundamentally reform the Resource Management Act Halted unworkable winter grazing, stock exclusion, and Significant Natural Area (SNA) rules Begun rebalancing Te Mana o te Wai to restore the rights of all water users Disbanded Labour's He Waka Eke Noa initiative Repealed the punitive Ute Tax Commenced an inquiry into rural banking Halted Labour's costly Freshwater Farm Plans Completed a number of Free Trade Agreements that offer farmers greater opportunity in new markets Removed $733 million in non-tariff trade barriers 'Our farmers are world leaders in producing high-quality, safe, sustainable, grass-fed meat. This Government backs them 100 per cent, and we'll keep cutting through the red tape so they can keep delivering for New Zealand,' Mr McClay says.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Sheep And Beef Farmers Deliver Record Red Meat Returns
Minister of Agriculture New Zealand's sheep and beef farmers are delivering record-breaking red meat export sales and driving strong farmgate returns to the rural economy Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. 'March was a standout month for our red meat exporters, with a record $1.26 billion in export sales—a 34 per cent increase on March last year. First quarter exports also hit $3.28 billion, up 28 per cent from last year. This is great news for farmers, processors, and rural communities across New Zealand,' Mr McClay says. The global appetite for high-quality, natural protein is continuing to grow, driving strong prices for New Zealand lamb and beef. 'This reflects a deeper, longer-term shift in global consumer behaviour. People everywhere are turning to clean, high-quality, safe and sustainable animal protein, and New Zealand is delivering,' Mr McClay says. Beef and Lamb New Zealand's February forecast projected red meat export revenue to achieve an additional $1.2 billion for the 2024/25 production year. That outlook is well on track, thanks to our farmers hard work and world leading production, with April Stats NZ data confirming an additional $1.1 billion or 5 per cent increase in red meat exports over the past year bringing the total value to $10.6 billion. The Government is doing its part to ensure farmers see more returns at the farm gate by restoring confidence, slashing red tape, and opening up new opportunities. Key actions to drive growth and keep Wellington out of farming include: Removed agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme Currently banning full farm-to-forest conversions Started the process of replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management Moved to fundamentally reform the Resource Management Act Halted unworkable winter grazing, stock exclusion, and Significant Natural Area (SNA) rules Begun rebalancing Te Mana o te Wai to restore the rights of all water users Disbanded Labour's He Waka Eke Noa initiative Repealed the punitive Ute Tax Commenced an inquiry into rural banking Halted Labour's costly Freshwater Farm Plans Completed a number of Free Trade Agreements that offer farmers greater opportunity in new markets Removed $733 million in non-tariff trade barriers 'Our farmers are world leaders in producing high-quality, safe, sustainable, grass-fed meat. This Government backs them 100 per cent, and we'll keep cutting through the red tape so they can keep delivering for New Zealand,' Mr McClay says.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Delivering For Farmers As They Deliver For Economy
Minister of Agriculture New Zealand dairy farmers are ending the 2024/25 season on a high, with increased production and record milk prices delivering real gains to the rural economy and every Kiwi household, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. 'Dairy exports are a cornerstone of New Zealand's economy, contributing $4,700 for every New Zealander. This season's strong performance is set to add an additional $4.5 billion in farmgate revenue for 2024/25. This is good news for farmers, rural towns, and our economy as a whole,' Mr McClay says. With the final milk price forecast tracking around $10 per kilogram of milk solids, farmers are seeing the highest returns since 2021/22—and all signs point to another strong season ahead. 'This is the result of hard work on-farm, smart investment, and a global market that continues to demand high-quality, grass-fed New Zealand dairy,' Mr McClay says. The Government is doing its part to ensure more of that value returns to the farm gate by removing barriers, restoring confidence, and improving the regulatory environment for dairy. Already we have: Started the process of replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management Moved to fundamentally reform the Resource Management Act Halted unworkable winter grazing, stock exclusion, and Significant Natural Area (SNA) rules Begun rebalancing Te Mana o te Wai to restore the rights of all water users Removed agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme Disbanded Labour's He Waka Eke Noa initiative Repealed the punitive Ute Tax Commenced an inquiry into rural banking Halted Labour's costly Freshwater Farm Plans Started and completed a number of Free Trade Agreements that offer farmers greater opportunity in new markets. 'Rural communities are the engine room of this economy. When farmers are doing well, it flows through to local businesses, regional jobs, and a growing economy for all New Zealanders,' Mr McClay says.
