Manawatu/Rangitikei
Introduction
Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei has more than 1200 members in a region that extends from Ohakune in the north to Otaki in the south.
The team is proactive and productive, and has faced more than its fair share of adverse events over the past few years. The team has taken a leadership role through these challenging times and has developed a close working relationship with both the Rangitikei and Manawatu district councils and Horizons Regional Council.
The province strongly believes that if it is a local issue, it needs a local voice. It is the voice of farming in the Manawatu/Rangitikei region.
Main Issues
The main issue for the province are the One Plan, local government rates, regulations, telecommunications and power.
Horowhenua Landscape Protection - Federated Farmers has been working on Plan Change 22 to the Horowhenua District Plan which deals with protection of scenic landscapes. The Council has identified Outstanding Natural Landscapes and Features, and High Amenity Landscapes, some of which are over farms. Extra rules applying to these landscapes will mean that farmers may have to get resource consent for earthworks and buildings. Federated Farmers lodged a submission in November 2009, and will be presenting at the Hearing in mid-November 2011.
To download a copy of Federated Farmers submission and the Horowhenua District Council's planning maps click on the PDF's below.
Horowhenua District Plan Review - Federated Farmers lodged comments on the Horowhenua District Plan discussion document in December 2011. The Council mentioned that they expected farming to dominate rural areas for the next ten years, but Federated Farmers pointed out that primary production should be prioritised otherwise there will be no local food production or economy. Farming noise, and privacy were considered by the Council to be problems with increasing lifestyle subdivision, and Federated Farmers commented that undue regulation that interferes with production should be avoided.
Meetings
Provincial executive meetings are held on the last Thursday evening of every second month. They take place at Farming House, Queen St, Palmerston North. Other meetings of interest to members are held around the region when required.
Provincial Post
Provincial Post, is a monthly update from Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei Provincial President, Andrew Hoggard, and is emailed out to Manawatu/Rangitikei members.
To download an edition of Provincial Post, please click here.
Provincial news
To download a copy of the latest provincial media release, newsletter and column, please click here.
Scholarships
For information on local scholarships contact Sue Wall, at swall@fedfarm.org.nz
NIWA’s climate outlook
Temperatures in the Central North Island Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu and Wellington in the late spring and early summer period are likely to be average or above average. Rainfall totals are equally likely to be in the normal or below normal range, while soil moisture levels and river flows are likely to be below normal. For more information download the PDF below.
Contact the Executive
Field Officer
Angela Hogg
Field Officer for South Taranaki, Wanganui and Manawatu/Rangitikei
M: 027 432 0174
E: angelah@fedfarm.org.nz
Regional Policy Advisor
Dr Tessa Mills
Regional Policy Advisor
T: 0800 327 646
F: 06 357 9997
M: 027 265 1648
E: tmills@fedfarm.org.nz
Qualifications: B. Hort. Sci (hons), PhD
I have been with the Federation: Since September 2009
You will know me because: The water parts of the One Plan are currently under review and I, along with the provincial representatives, have been holding meeting to discuss our stance on this critical part of the One Plan.
Federated Farmers 2011-2012 Directory
To download a copy of Federated Farmers 2011-2012 Directory click on the PDF below.
