Winston hijacks farmers’ revolt

In the shadow of the giant cow they gathered, but with an election only days away it turned to mudslinging.

About 500 people turned out to what was meant to be a peaceful rally in Morrinsville, Waikato after what they called ‘‘continued attacks’’ on rural New Zealand and the spectre of a water tax.

But it quickly broke down as National Party and New Zealand First supporters, along with party leader Winston Peters, got into heated verbal exchanges.

Federated Farmers’ Waikato provincial president Andrew McGiven said the farmer community assembled, with placards waving, because they’re tired of being tarred with a brush they don’t deserve. The rally was hijacked by politics, he said.

‘‘It’s unfortunate because it was not what we were trying to do. What we were trying to push was a positive message telling what farmers have done for the environment and a show of unity and support,’’ McGiven said. ‘‘For political parties to come here and try, once again, to put it on their agenda and make a mess out of it is probably not the greatest look.’’

He said the farming community knows their activity has an affect on the environment and they’re doing something about it.

‘‘What I’m sick of is the cherry picking of data for political purposes, especially around water, to paint a picture that we are all environmental vandals,’’ McGiven said. ‘‘That is a desperate lie.’’

The event kicked off calmly. Two NZ First buses parked across the road from the site of the protest. NZ First and National paraphernalia littered the crowd, as did protest placards.