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