Former Federated Farmers President Katie Milne has been selected by local party members as National’s West Coast-Tasman candidate for the 2026 general election.

Ms Milne is a fifth-generation family farmer from the West Coast. Katie was the Vice President of the World Farmers Organisation, a director for Predator Free 2050 and served as Federated Farmers first female president between 2017 and 2020.

“I am honoured to be selected as National’s West Coast-Tasman candidate. The hard work starts now to re-elect a National Government that is fixing the basics and building the future,” Ms Milne says.

“First, I want to acknowledge Maureen Pugh. Maureen has served our region for nearly three decades as a councillor, mayor and an MP and I wish her all the best for a well-deserved retirement.

“In an uncertain world, responsible economic management matters more now than ever. National has reigned in wasteful spending, saving taxpayers $43 billion to date which has brought down inflation and interest rates saving Kiwis as much as $10,000 on their mortgage.

“In response to sharp fuel price increases as a result of the Iran conflict, timely, temporary, and targeted support is ensuring fiscal responsibility remains in place while those who need it most receive relief. Getting it wrong now will have long-lasting consequences that are difficult to unwind, just like we saw in the aftermath of Covid.

“This has seen 143,000 working families get $50 more per week until fuel prices return to normal. It’s also seen care and support workers get a 30 per cent increase to their mileage costs. This extra support means Kiwis, particularly those in rural communities, continue to receive the care they need.

“As a lifelong advocate for farmers, I can see firsthand how National backs our primary sector. The National-led Government has reduced red tape to get farmers back to farming, signed new trade deals which has helped increase trade by $17 billion, and introduced investment boost to encourage businesses to invest, expand, and hire more Kiwis.

“As a fifth- generation coaster, I know that our region can be more productive, with more jobs and higher wages. That is why I will be campaigning hard to re-elect a National Government and to earn the right to be West Coast-Tasman’s next National MP. ”

Biographical notes

Katie Milne is a dairy farmer near Lake Brunmer who grew up outside Greymouth, attending St John Paul II High School before training as a meat inspector in her youth.

She is an experienced governance professional, having served on multiple boards including Predator Free 2050, World Farmers Organisation, Westland Milk Products Ltd, and as the President of Federated Farmers.

Katie was Fonterra’s New Zealand Diary Woman of the Year in 2015 and was New Zealand’s Women of Influence Rural winner in the same year.

In her spare time, Katie has been a volunteer firefighter for 26 years and more recently a first responder and enjoys hunting and fishing.

Katie lives with her partner Ian and has one daughter and one grandchild.

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