Federated Farmers of New Zealand

 

Wairarapa

Introduction

Agriculture is the major source of income and employment in the Wairarapa, despite the growth of tourism, wine-making, manufacturing and the services industry.

Sheep stations along the eastern hill country, which used to primarily produce wool, have given up large areas to forestry.

Sheep and beef cattle farmers on lower lying land in the Wairarapa have adopted more intensive farming systems to stay economically viable. Dairy farms, which are found mostly in the southern Wairarapa, are adopting new technology and increasing herd sizes. Poorer pasture and gravelly soil along the central river system is now being used for grapes.

Martinborough was the first to put Wairarapa wine on the map, but wine production has spread far beyond that precinct. While the Wairarapa does not have extensive arable land, on the valley flats there are a variety of crops including seed, grains and maize.

Wairarapa is often targeted as a showcase for international visitors being the closest farming district to New Zealand's capital and government hub, Wellington.

Main Issues

Because of its proximity Federated Farmers Wairarapa president, Paul McGill, and representatives from the Meat & Fibre and Dairy industry groups are often sought for farmer comment by media.

Greater Wellington’s dairy farmers lift full compliance in 2010/11

In the space of three seasons, dairy farmers in the Greater Wellington region massively lifted their dairy resource consent compliance, from 53 percent to 92 percent full compliance.  In terms of significant non-compliance, Greater Wellington's dairy farmers have seen that fall to 1.6 percent.  Read more »

Meetings

Federated Farmers Wairarapa meets on the secound Tuesday of every month at the Shear History Trust on Dixon Street in Masterton at 7pm. For further information contact provincial president, Paul McGill.

Cost of Production Survey - Rural Professionals would like to invite all Federated Farmers Wairarapa dairy members to attend a meeting on November 14 to discuss the findings of the Cost Production Survey. We had a great response to the survey and have generated some very useful data. The more farmers who attend the meeting, the better.

Click on the PDF below for more information.

Provincial news

To download a copy of the latest provincial media release, newsletter and column, please click here.

Contact the Executive

Field Officer

Regional Policy Advisor

Federated Farmers 2011-2012 Directory

To download a copy of Federated Farmers 2011-2012 Directory click on the PDF below.

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