Farmer lions led by donkeys: Peters
NZ First has made a play for the rural vote with the announcement of three farmer candidates at the Federated Farmers annual conference.
They are Mark Patterson, a fourth generation sheep and beef farmer for Clutha-Southland, Rangitikei beef farmer Rob Stevenson and Stu Husband, who will be standing in the Waikato electorate.
Husband, a Federated Farmers office holder, was in the audience at last Thursday’s annual conference when leader Winston Peters unveiled the choices. Husband is also a Waikato regional councillor.
Peters accused the federation of failing to provide leadership, and supporting the National Government even when it pursued policies counter to farmers’ interests.
‘‘Farmers are lions but frankly they are being led by some right royal donkeys. Under National, what are down - exports and productivity - should be up, but what should be down - namely the dollar, imports and immigration - are all the way up.’’
The high dollar was widening the worst current account deficit since 2008 and was reflected in poor business investment.
Peters criticised the Resource Management Act for ‘‘race-based’’ clauses and promised to repeal those aspects, especially the Mana Whakahono a Rohe: Iwi participation agreements.
‘‘These arrangements mean an unelected ‘bro-rocracy’ get a say on not only district and regional plans, but consents and compliance – everything.’’
He said NZ First would not remove cows in order to bolster water quality, but instead improve the farm environment, technology and water quality reporting.
That would demand an upgrade to nutrient tools like Overseer before they could be put into regional plans.
‘‘If cows are to blame for poor water then why are our most polluted waterways in the cities?’’ Peters asked.