Rural Nats

Backs rural New Zealand

The National Party understands how important the rural sector is to New Zealand’s economic success.

The Rural Nats will work to build on National's proud history of advocating for rural communities by better connecting rural people to the National Party and giving them a strong voice within our Party. 

As a Rural Nat member you can:

  • Attend events with our Leader Christopher Luxon and National MPs
  • Have a say in our rural Policy
  • Meet like minded New Zealanders 
  • Choose your local National candidate 
  • Help us shape the future of Rural New Zealand 

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Contact us for more information: ruralnats@national.org.nz

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National backs rural New Zealand

The primary sector is the engine room of the New Zealand economy.

When our farmers and rural communities are doing well, all of New Zealand does well. That’s why we’re working with you to boost on-farm productivity and introduce sensible rules that let you get on with farming. Since taking office, we’ve done what we said we’d do to help you get ahead.

  • Slashed unnecessary compliance | Made more than 20 changes to reduce costs, cut red tape, deliver what rural communities asked for and provide certainty for them.
  • Restored common sense regulations | Simplified intensive winter grazing, stock exclusion and on-farm water storage.
  • Removed agriculture from the ETS.
  • Removed the ute tax.
  • Fixed unworkable freshwater rules | Replaced the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and rebalanced Te Mana O Te Wai.
  • Created Investment Boost | A 20% upfront tax deduction on new assets to help farmers invest in the tools needed to produce more.
  • Banned full farm-to-forestry conversions | Preserving quality farmland from pine plantations.
  • Backed rural communities | Expanded the Regional Seasonal Employer Scheme, launched an inquiry into rural banking, boosted investment in Rural Support Trusts, established a $4m Rural Wellbeing Fund and backed Rural Women with $250,000.
  • Tackling wilding pines | Increased funding to $109m over the next three years.
  • Increased global market access for our farmers, growers and businesses | Under National exports have increased by $17 billion, creating jobs and lifting incomes.
  • Signed a Free Trade Agreement with India | This will see New Zealand exporters gain access to a market of 1.4 billion people.
  • Replacing the RMA | The new system respects property rights and removes unnecessary rules, meaning fewer resource consents and faster processing times for farmers.
  • Fixing Local Government | Replaced Three Waters with Local Water Done Well, making local communities responsible for investment in affordable infrastructure. We’re progressing a rates cap and removing regional councils to cut duplication and red tape, delivering greater certainty and efficiency for rural communities.
  • Building the Waikato Medical School | Training more doctors and nurses for rural and community practices.

“My pledge to you is we will not close down farms or send jobs and production overseas. We will only make decisions that are in the best interest of New Zealand.”

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon | Leader of the National Party

The latest

News

Todd McClay

Farm confidence reflects strength of primary sector

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Todd McClay

Agritech project to lift apple productivity

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Putting wine waste to work

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A more practical planning system for food and fibre production

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Decisions on Freshwater Farm Plans released

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Certainty for Waikato and Manawatū-Whanganui farmers

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New Zealand and Viet Nam boost agricultural trade and cooperation

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Call for feedback on organic sector changes

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Select Committee report on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill welcomed

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Government support for flood-hit Kaikōura farmers

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Greens and Labour reignite war on farming

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Government supporting Wairarapa farmers after heavy rain

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