Christchurch is an example of why councils need to meet all the standards laid out for them.

While Christchurch was taking in the revelations about its council’s chief executive, former Hamilton City Council CEO Tony Marryatt, farmers were discussing the big issues facing agriculture at Federated Farmers’ national conference in Ashburton.

Fittingly, these discussions included a plenary session featuring Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend, Selwyn District Mayor Kelvin Coe and Ashburton District Mayor Angus McKay, looking at local government and its implications for some of its biggest contributors, the rural sector.

Christchurch City Council has hit some serious credibility issues, with International Accreditation New Zealand withdrawing its ability to issue building consents. It is clear council staff were not meeting the required building code standards. It is also clear they were not meeting the required standards of professionalism needed.

The issues in Christchurch are very pertinent to farmers. I hope this is a wakeup call for other councils around the country. The earthquakes may have put the spotlight on Christchurch, but all councils need to meet all the standards laid out for them. Councils must operate in a professional and efficient manner. This is what ratepayers have paid for.

Federated Farmers had a meeting with Ministry for Primary Industries officials and it seems we have ironed out the issues

The removal of the Christchurch City Council’s ability to issue building consents is a wake-up call for other councils around the country. Photo: Fairfax NZ around privacy and the federation’s role in helping those who are facing animal welfare difficulties.

I hope the ministry’s 2000-plus staff members will take a mature approach to working with the federation to help both animals and farmers under stress. This shows the federation has a strong, professional approach to represent the rural sector.

I also personally congratulate Kingi Smiler, chairman of the Wairarapa Moana Incorporation and chairman of dairy processor Mairaka, who was named the Agri Business Person of 2013 at the Federated Farmers Cream of the Crop Awards.

It was through his leadership that my wife Carolyn and I continued our progression sharemilking. Kingi has been an inspiration for many people in this industry and it was a privilege to see him receive this well deserved award.

Also very deserving of recognition is former Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden, who was named the 2013 Agri Personality.

Vodafone have really shown their support for the rural sector this year, with chief executive Russell Stanners attending the conference’s gala evening and detailing the work that has been done in progressing the roll-out of wireless and broadband networks in rural areas.

Communication technology is increasingly vital to how we do business, so it was good to see the importance Vodafone places on its relationship with the federation and farming in general.

Given the focus which has been on the sheep and beef meat industry this year, it is fitting that Beef + Lamb New Zealand chairman Mike Petersen has been named as the new special agriculture trade envoy. Petersen has taken over from former Federated Farmers president Alastair