JOE BLAKISTON
Another month has gone, and we seem to still be bombarded by issues and events from all directions.
As I write this the Groundswell protests are underway across New Zealand against farming reforms and other climate responses that will penalise farmers, within days the roads between Blenheim and Nelson will be closed for 6 weeks to undertake critical repairs, the price of fuel and interest rates soar.
Putin holds the Northern hemisphere to ransom with his war on Ukraine and above all this the agricultural sector is still seen as the saviour of New Zealand’s economy - that is a huge weight on a rural community.
Farmers and Horticulturists are under immense pressure to not only survive but also create foreign exchange while being delivered government policies that are unashamedly described as changing rural communities forever by allowing more tree planting and reduce farm carrying capacity to comply with emission rules.
I do not deny the climate is changing when you see the massive rain events we have experienced in NZ Australia and further afield - but I struggle with New Zealand being the country the “whole world is watching“ to see if we get it right as they shovel more coal into burners to keep their population with power and heating for the Northern winter.
There is a real need for a strong and unified voice to show the rural voice - however unfortunately the bulk of the voting power are those who do not understand the big picture - the problems for them are much closer to home with cost-of-living rises, struggles to make ends meet on urban household budgets and simply just getting by.
I suspect that we are in for a long debate on these matters as we head to an election in 2023 - I am sure there will be some surprises in store next year.. My best advice is to keep friends and family and advisers close to you over the coming months as the summer approaches - make timely decisions inside and outside the farm gate and keep communicating no matter how tough things get - and above all get out and about in our wonderful province.
A and P shows are back on the calendar - at least COVID is history now, so we will see you at upcoming rural events and field days.
