Federated Farmers is deeply concerned by a proposal to shut down rural police stations across Canterbury, calling it a major blow to the safety and wellbeing of farming families.

According to The Press, Canterbury Police intend to reduce personnel at a number of rural stations and disestablish some roles in favour of larger 24/7 hubs based in Rolleston and Rangiora.

Bex Green, North Canterbury Federated Farmers president, says the plan has left rural communities reeling.

"This is not good enough - our community is extremely angry and disappointed about what’s being proposed.

"Farming families rely on local police stations to feel safe and supported. Closing them down sends a cold message that rural communities don’t matter.

"All the rhetoric from the Government to date has been that there will be 500 new police officers by the end of 2025 to help reduce crime and improve public safety.

"Unfortunately, the rhetoric isn't lining up with reality for our rural communities. Those new cops must only be for the big cities like Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington.

"I think some tough questions need to be answered. Does the Government not care about the safety of farming families living in places like Rakaia, Culverden, or Leeston?"

Green says it is important for rural communities to have local officers on the ground who can respond quickly to issues.

"When you live rurally, it matters so much to know you have a local cop who understands the area, knows the people, and is part of the community.

"The idea that we can replace local officers with ‘liaison roles’ spread across bigger areas is totally out of touch with what the community actually wants and needs.

"You can’t build relationships and local knowledge from behind a desk in a centralised hub."

She says having police based further way from communities will worsen the response times and lead to higher rates of crime.

"Without local police living here in Culverden, the response time will be extended out to 30 minutes or more, and potentially over an hour if we have to wait for support from Rangiora.

"That’s just too long to wait," Green says.

"Without police visibility on the ground, we’ll definitely see more crimes because people know they can get away with it."

Federated Farmers recognises the pressures on police and the need to make smart deployment decisions but believes any restructuring must prioritise community safety and rural coverage.

"This proposal is a step in the wrong direction. Rural New Zealand deserves so much better," Green says.

"I’m also concerned for those police officers left covering larger areas, as that bigger workload could lead to their burnout."

According to The Press, police have not confirmed which stations would close.

But Green says her understanding is stations in Lincoln, Leeston, Arthur’s Pass, Amberley, and Oxford would have reduced personnel and Culverden would close, losing two community police roles from the town.

The Press says the Aoraki Policing District would also be affected by the restructure, with up to three stations closed and 11 roles gone.

Waimate District Mayor Craig Rowley, a former police officer, has also criticised the move, saying "any reduction in service in our region is a large step backwards".

Federated Farmers is urging Police and the Government to reconsider the restructure and consult meaningfully with affected rural communities before any final decisions are made.

"This isn’t just about stations and rosters - it’s about the safety, confidence and resilience of the people who grow our food and support our economy," Green says.

"Federated Farmers is here to speak up for rural New Zealand and we’ll be pushing hard against this proposal.

"We’re also actively looking into whether any other regions will be impacted by these proposed changes."

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