Leading figures from the major political parties will be grilled on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate next Wednesday, 30 September. It will be livestreamed from Hamilton’s Mystery Creek Events Centre – tune in on the NZ Herald website at 7.30pm.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), DairyNZ and Federated Farmers have teamed up to organise the event, which will be moderated by radio host and columnist Heather du Plessis-Allan.
The debating panel will feature Todd McClay (National), Jo Luxton (Labour), Andrew Hoggard (ACT), Mark Patterson (New Zealand First) and Steve Abel (Green Party).
The event will be one of the few opportunities to hear from all major parties specifically on their vision and plans for rural New Zealand ahead of the General Election on 7 November.
B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says the Rural Issues Debate provides an opportunity to shine a light on the issues that impact rural New Zealanders.
“We need predictability and certainty to help navigate the turbulent environment that we operate in, not policy swings. We’re pleased with progress on reforming the Resource Management Act and on climate change policy, and look forward to continuing this work with the incoming Government. As we outlined in our 2026 Election Manifesto, other issues that we want the Government to focus on include safeguarding and improving market access, and managing supply chain disruptions, to support sheep and beef farmers and red meat exporters in navigating global volatility,” Acland says.
Federated Farmers national president Colin Hurst says farmers don’t need more promises – they need certainty about what the next Government will actually do.
“This debate is a great chance for politicians to front up to rural New Zealand and explain how their policies will affect the people who feed the country and drive a big part of our economy.
“Farmers will be listening closely to what each party has to say, so let’s hope the politicians show up with real detail about what their party will do, what it will cost and how it will affect rural businesses.”
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says New Zealand's agricultural sector is a major contributor to our economy and rural communities, and farmers need confidence to invest for the future.
“When farming succeeds, rural communities thrive and New Zealand benefits through stronger exports, jobs and economic growth. DairyNZ's election priorities call for practical regulation, a strong focus on science and innovation, and policies that enable productivity growth while continuing environmental progress. The Rural Issues Debate gives farmers a chance to hear how political parties would support those outcomes if elected," Brown says.
The debate will be held in front of a live audience and will be livestreamed from 7.30pm-9pm on the New Zealand Herald website.
ENDS
Media Contacts
B+LNZ
Will Jeffares
[email protected]
027 235 9806
Federated Farmers
Aaron Letcher
[email protected]
027 538 2437
DairyNZ
Jacob Quinn
[email protected]
0277164197