Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay welcomes councillors

16 October 2013

Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay welcomes councillors

Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay is pledging to work alongside councillors just elected at a regional, city and district level.

“Federated Farmers congratulates all elected councillors and wishes to express our appreciation for those councillors who were either unsuccessful or retired,” says Will Foley, Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay Provincial President.

“We shall soon be writing to all councillors to offer them a chance to meet with Federated Farmers. We’d also like to extend an invitation for them to come on-farm and see what we do.

“In my experience, people may have a certain view of farming and we would like to show councillors just what we do and how we do it. Personally, I think many will be blown away when they see what farming is like in 2013 and the opportunities we have.

“That’s why farmers are committed to constructive dialogue to build our regional and local communities.

“The Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme project remains central. We appreciate the concerns some may harbour towards it and frankly, there’s got to be a much better job done at explaining its economic and environmental benefits.

“Yet with TrustPower and Ngai Tahu on board, Ruataniwha is just starting to get a real roll-on. That’s reinforced by the 96 farmers who have signed Expressions of Interest covering enough water to irrigate some 11,500 hectares.

“If that momentum came to a grinding halt now, we are concerned that it could knock back any future water storage proposal for a very long time. Whether that’s Ruataniwha, or the next likely contender, the Ngaruroro.

“Water and economic development in Hawke’s Bay seem one in the same and I feel most councillors would agree with that. That includes the need to create a viable future for our children right here in the Hawke’s Bay instead of Auckland or Christchurch.

“The 2013 Census sets the challenge we must collectively face up to. Between 2001 and 2006, Hastings was the 21st fastest growing district in New Zealand, Napier was 30th while Central Hawke’s Bay District came in at 47th.

“But between 2006 and 2013, Hastings has slipped to 30th spot, Napier went back one place to 31st but Central Hawke’s Bay District has dropped to 58th - losing 1.8 percent of its usually resident population.

“Federated Farmers knows pastoral farming can be much more for our region inside and outside the farmgate. We are really keen to show councillors just how,” Mr Foley concluded.
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