New Tararua Provincial President welcomed
Released 26 Jan 2011
Tararua farmer Richard Murfitt got a great Christmas present, he is the new Federated Farmers Tararua provincial president.
"I'd like to congratulate Richard on his new role and welcome him to the provincial presidency," says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers president.
'He has been a long time, loyal, paid Federated Farmers member as well as a fantastic Meat & Fibre provincial chair over the last four years.
"This is a promotion he deserves and we welcome. Richard will do a great job representing the farmers of the region.
"He succeeds John Barrow, who goes on to represent Horizon's Regional Council in its Tararua constituency. John has done a great job representing before this and I wish him the best of luck in his new position," Mr Nicolson concluded.
Richard Murfitt, 43, was raised in Makuri, Tararua, and continues to farm there. He has been a sheep and beef farmer for 15 years. He is father to 16 month old Beatrice with his partner Sue Gordon, who has three children, Taylor 16, Ben 14 and Grace 13, from a previous relationship.
Mr Murfitt will continue to act as Meat & Fibre chair until a successor is arranged, by June's Federated Farmers Annual General Meeting at the latest.
"This is a role I feel I've grown into. Much of the work of the provincial chairperson is dealing with farmer concerns, national and local council policies and their effects on the farmers in the Tararua area," Mr Murfitt says.
"There a lot of work to be done with Tararua District Council who promised the district a rates review at least two years ago. However, since then it seems to have fallen into the too hard basket.
"The new mayor ran on a promise of getting the review underway again and we will be watching to see if it goes forward when council returns for the 2011 year.
"I look forward to representing all sections of the farming community and will welcome advice from all farmers and previous office holders. I feel that we need to encourage better consultation amongst our members. If anyone has any issues or concerns please feel free to contact me," Mr Murfitt concluded.
For further information contact:
Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers national president, 03 216 7405, 027 226 6331
Richard Murfitt, Federated Farmers Tararua provincial president, 06 376 3800
