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Talking Dairy
What farmers need from the next Government | Ep. 131
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In this episode, Tracy Brown, DairyNZ board chair, Brian Anderton, DairyNZ government relations manager, and Leighton Parker, dairy farmer and Dairy Environment Leader, discuss what farmers are asking for ahead of the 2026 General Election, and how those needs have shaped DairyNZ’s six priorities for practical, evidence-backed policy that supports sustainable growth.
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Introduction
SPEAKER_03Ki ora and welcome to Talking Dairy. I'm Jack McGowan from DairyNZ. This year's general election comes at an important time for dairy farmers. Many farmers are managing uncertainty around regulation, rising costs, workforce pressures, and the need to keep making environmental progress while still running profitable farm businesses. So in this episode, we're looking at what farmers need from the next government and what Dairy Z is advocating for on behalf of the sector. DairyZ has developed six priorities for the next government that are about giving farmers confidence. Confidence to invest in their farms, their people, their animals and their local environment. They're also about making sure New Zealand Dairy can keep producing high-quality milk in a way that is productive, resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive. DairyNZ's role is to bring science, evidence, and practical farming experience into policy conversations so decisions made in Wellington can work on the ground. That advocacy is one of the ways farmers levy investment helps support the future of the sector. Joining us today are Tracy Brown, DairyNZ board chair, Brian Anderton, DairyNZ's government relations manager, and Layton Parker, a dairy farmer and dairy environment leader. Together they'll talk about what farmers are saying, what good policy looks like from the farm gate, and why strong advocacy matters for farmers and for New Zealand. Let's get into it. Kiota Koto, welcome to the podcast. Let's start with a quick round of intros. Tracy, you've been on a few times now, but we'll start with you.
SPEAKER_02Tracy Brown, dairy farmer from Mata Mada and uh DairyNZ board chair.
SPEAKER_01Hi there, I'm Brian Anderton. I'm the government relations manager for DairyNZ and I've sort of been at DairyNZ for about three months now.
SPEAKER_00Hi everyone, Layton Parker here. I'm operating a thousand cow dairy farm 10 minutes north of Ashburden.
SPEAKER_03Thank you all for joining us. Now, Tracy, it's election year. Why is it important that DairyNZ
Why Advocacy Hits Harder In Election Year
SPEAKER_03advocates on behalf of dairy farmers at a time like this? Or, I mean, we're always doing advocacy. How is it different to other stages in the election cycle?
SPEAKER_02So, advocacy, as you know, is a really core part of what we do at DairyNZ. It's part of our role on behalf of farmers, not only during the election, but throughout the three-year sort of election cycle as well. But the election year does give us a unique opportunity to really try and shape policy and the agenda for the upcoming three years. And MPs tend to listen to us a little bit more in an election year, which is always good. So they're developing up their priorities and looking for practical solutions, hopefully, to New Zealand's challenges. So we have a responsibility to ensure that the farmer voice is in there, that farmers' experience and expertise is taken into account. You know, we're the organization that works alongside farmers every day. Farmer-elected directors are farmers themselves as well. So we do understand what's happening on farm, where the pain points are. And our role really is to give that kind of practical evidence-based insights into the policy process. Thank you, Tracy.
What Farmers Ask For Most
SPEAKER_03Now, Brian, what are you hearing from farmers about what they need from the next government?
SPEAKER_01I've spent much of my time over the past three months talking with farmers directly across the country and also spent a week at field days. And I would say the mood is sort of cautious but positive. What I'm hearing is farmers want certainty for long-term decisions about their business, people, and environmental investments. They accept that farming must keep improving, but they want clear and achievable and evidence-based policy. And also rising costs, you know, workforce pressures and years of regulatory change between the last couple of governments are affecting that confidence. But it's always valuable to hear directly from farmers and take those views into policy conversations.
SPEAKER_03And are there common themes coming through?
SPEAKER_01The common themes you sort of hear come up in time and time again are certainty, workable rules, and trust. And what I sort of mean by that with certainty is farmers know what is expected and then they can invest with confidence. Workable rules, the requirements must work on real farms, not look good just on paper. They can't be a warranting-based solution across the country. And, you know, trust, governments must understand farming and farmers must be actually then accountable for delivering. One farmer at Field Days I was talking to her actually put it quite well, which was don't keep moving the finishing line when farmers are already running the race. And I think that sort of shows there's frustration in that, but there's also a willingness to keep improving.
SPEAKER_03And farmers have already made a lot of progress. Do you want to comment on that, Brian?
SPEAKER_01There has been a lot of progress in dairy farming and environmental achievements and everything else over the past sort of generation. You're seeing that good results sort of, you know, flowing into what you're seeing day to day. You're sort of seeing that, and you're starting to get a recognition in Wangting and with policy makers that that is happening. But it's very much a need now for that to actually become, you know, more mainstream and actually the need for that, that what's happened. We need to tell that public tale. We need to actually talk about our success a lot more.
SPEAKER_03DairyNZ
DairyNZ’s Six Priorities Explained
SPEAKER_03has set out six priorities for the next government, Tracy. Can you walk us through what they are and why are these the areas that Darian Z's focusing on?
SPEAKER_02Dari and Z spent quite a bit of time thinking about what the relevant priorities are leading into the election, and we've shaped them up into six key sort of areas. So I might just run through those and give a bit of a flavor of what we're thinking. So the first one's around getting our resource management and freshwater systems right. So farmers need clear, practical resource consent rules and freshwater requirements so that they can confidently invest in the environment and in their farms. And we, you know, we're looking for some long-term certainty around this. And we need a system that will protect natural resources while giving farmers the confidence to invest in their business and look for opportunities going into the future. Second one is around funding strong biosecurity systems. As we know, biosecurity safeguards the future of dairy farming and the wider primary sector. And farmers need a better, sort of integrated and more easier to understand and more resilient system that's got clear accountability and that we're ready on standby with funding and resources and a plan if we get an incursion, for example, what like what's happening at the moment around bird flu. The third one is around growing the dairy workforce. So a strong dairy sector equally needs strong, skilled workforce with practical entry pathways that support our domestic workforce and the targeted around migration for the skills that we need. We need a workforce strategy that grows capability over time. That's not just a narrow labor sort of supply fix in the immediate sort of short term. The fourth priority is around funding science and encouraging new technology uptake. So New Zealand's future productivity and sustainability, as we know, depends on strong science capability, trusted data, and faster adoption of practical on-farm solutions. So policy and good funding is needed to strengthen that research capability, enable safe use of new technologies, and also reduce duplication and uncertainty for farmers. The fifth priority is to promote low emissions technology and invest in rural infrastructure. So farmers need policy that supports resilience and strengthens adaptation, but it must be focused on practical action that works on farm as well, that reduces uncertainty, avoids unnecessary cost and complexity. And then the sixth one is around backing strong animal welfare roles and outcomes. So good animal welfare is critical to the success of dairy globally and our global reputation as a supplier of a premium, sustainable, and ethically produced milk. So government policy needs to be practical, evidence-based, and adequately resourced with credible institutions and workable pathways that allow farmers the business of getting on with farming while taking good care of their animals. So these priorities will say a dairy sector that's more productive and more globally competitive, because that's what we have to keep an eye on that. Has lower emissions footprint, we're increasingly trusted, we're enabled by science and data and resilient to shocks, whether they be global shocks or weather shocks, and we're backed by policy that it does encourage investment in the sector.
SPEAKER_03So six good priorities there. Tracy, I'm curious how those have changed, if at all, since the previous election cycle.
SPEAKER_02They're probably similar. Big focus at the moment, obviously, on the RMA and freshwater, because the Environment Select Committee just reported back on Monday around their recommendations. So that's a big focus at DRNZ at the moment. The others, I think, have always been important: biosecurity, workforce, science, technology, emissions reduction, and animal welfare. We do know that the dairy code is due out potentially later this year. So that'll put the spotlight on dairy for that. But we're confident that our farmers will be up for any changes they might need to make.
SPEAKER_03Well, thanks, Tracy.
Resource Management Reform And Farm Plans
SPEAKER_03Brian, as Tracy mentioned, the resource management reforms have just come back or been reported back from Select Committee, and it's a major policy issue for farmers. Can you unpack it for us? Like what's improved and what still needs work for dairy farmers?
SPEAKER_01It's a very topical question, as the Select Committee recently just reported back, and the bill is continuing to work its way through Parliament. There has been some really important improvements through the Select Committee process. Food and fibre production is now recognised as a key goal in the draft legislation. The environmental limits are being approached in a much more workable way. And some of the sort of concerning market allocation proposals, which were in the earlier draft, have now been removed. What needs work to be done still is that probably the biggest issue for DairyNZ remains for shorter farm plans. The principle for us is quite clear. If a farm has a robust certified plan that identifies risks and how they'll be managed, that should be the primary environmental management tool. We want one credible system, not one farm plan followed by a secondary consenting process that might ask many of the same questions. So I think it's fair to say, and be interested, Tracy, in your views, but I think it's fair to say that the direction is a lot better in the bill as it is at the moment, but there's still more work to do, and our policy team is engaging with ministers and officials on that as we speak.
SPEAKER_03Okay.
Progress Already Made And What’s Missed
SPEAKER_03What do you think the political parties are overlooking when it comes to dairy?
SPEAKER_02So from my perspective, Jack, the pace and scale of progress that's already happening on farm often isn't fully recognised. As Brian said before, farmers have already significantly invested over many years, probably the last sort of 10 to 20 years at least for some. And they've invested in environmental improvements, animal welfare, and more resilient farming businesses. I think it gets forgotten that we're not necessarily just looking for short-term wins. We want long-term certainty. We want practical policy that future-proofs our business and sets us up for dairy to be still here and doing well in 10, 20, you know, 100 years' time. There are some regions that have got some immediate short-term challenges, for example, Waikadon Plan Change One, but generally we're looking for longer-term outcomes. We want good policy that builds on the momentum of what's already been achieved and provides confidence for continued improvement. Probably the other thing that's often overlooked is just dairy's broader contribution to the economy in terms of export earnings, jobs, regional vibrancy, and all the things that dairy does to contribute to the wider economy. And that in actual fact, we're part of the solution, and we really do want to work constructively with government on, you know, on the challenges that we've got ahead of us.
SPEAKER_01I would just add that, you know, the political debate can often, as Tracy said, overlook how much progress is already happening on farm. You know, dairy supports exports, earnings, regional jobs, communities, and businesses beyond the farm gate. Farmers have invested in environmental improvements, animal care, people and technology, and the sector is not standing still. The question for me is not whether farmers will keep improving. They will. The question is whether policy helps that progress or makes it unnecessarily difficult or expensive.
SPEAKER_03And how can the next government strike the right balance between protecting natural resources and supporting productive farm businesses?
SPEAKER_01Well, environmental protection and productive farming are not competing goals. Strong farm businesses are better placed to invest in environmental outcomes. We need to be clear about what outcomes the government wants. Then we need to give farmers the flexibility on how they achieve these outcomes because farms and catchments differ across the country. And then we, and this is where Darian Z has the role as well, to bring together science, regional knowledge, and that practical farming experience. And that is how you get rules that deliver results and are durable enough to last beyond one election cycle.
SPEAKER_02At the end of the day, the profitable farm provides a really good platform for excellent environmental progress. So we need our businesses to be financially strong and viable and turning a profit.
SPEAKER_03Thank you, Tracy. Now, Leighton,
On-Farm Environmental Changes That Work
SPEAKER_03you're part of the Dairy Environment Leaders Network, which is led by farmers to inspire and influence positive environmental action on farm and in catchments. What motivated you to get involved? When did you get involved?
SPEAKER_00Well, I got involved probably three or four years ago, Jack. And like many other farmers, I feel a great connection to the land and want to operate in a sustainable way. Dear Environment Leaders has been great because it provides an opportunity to connect with other like-minded farmers, share experiences and knowledge, and it's really motivating seeing what others are doing around the country.
SPEAKER_03Can you share some of the things that you've been doing on your farm or within your community?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, well, our current farm we purchased last season, so there's been a lot of change happening, but in the irrigation space, we're making a lot of investment, converting areas that are previously irrigated by kayans to fixed grid and a couple more small pivots. We're doing a lot of work evaluating irrigation performance to make sure that we've got really good distribution of water over our farm and it's it's even, so we're cutting down on any drainage that's going to exacerbate nutrient loss. And then farm system-wise, we do a lot of things, including minimising the amount of nitrogen we're putting on. We're really conscious of when we're putting it on, the amounts that we're putting on to make sure that it's going to be utilized for plant uptake and not going to be lost. We winter a quarter of our cows on the platform on grass, and really that's designed to cut down how much winter feed that we're needing, which is a real high loss activity. We use a bit of plantain, but this is an area that we're wanting to do more of because we see an opportunity to lower our losses more with integrating that more into our pastures. We do early culling of our autumn cows, and that's really designed to cut down the amount of urine patches we've got going into winter, and we also use autumn fodder beet to cut down our urinary end concentrations, and then we follow that with catch crops. So a bit of an array there.
SPEAKER_03A good example of the wide array of changes that farmers are already making. Leighton,
What Good Policy Looks Like
SPEAKER_03as a dairy environment leader, do you interact with government around things like policy?
SPEAKER_00We have had some interactions with ECAN recently, just trying to maintain communications and share some of those wins and communicate what's happening on farm and also try to get a good understanding of where thinking's at from a policy direction.
SPEAKER_03And from your perspective as a farmer, what does good policy look like?
SPEAKER_00Good policy needs to understand that farmers are the ones needing to implement it. So it needs to be practical, simple to understand, and give confidence that policy is not going to change every time there's an election. It also needs to understand what our barriers for change might be. So for example, time can be a real challenge. So making sure it's not overly complex and duplicates what's already out there. And for example, at the moment I've just been doing compliance reporting around nitrogen, and I've had to do that in three different places in three different ways. So if we can make that a lot more simple, it saves time and makes the process a lot easier. It also needs to be evidence-based backed by good science. This can really help paint the picture of why change or a certain policy framework is needed rather than having policy guided by a political narrative.
SPEAKER_03And what would you like policymakers to better understand about how change actually happens on farm?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, well, policy makers need to understand that farming is our livelihood and we need to make a dollar. Environmental outcomes are important, but if our businesses are going to adapt to change, they still need to be profitable businesses because if we're not profitable, our options are really cut down. Farmer-led initiatives are great because you can have a lot of confidence in change if it's been led by other top farmers and also need tools and on-farm solutions backed by proven research.
SPEAKER_03Both Tracy and Brian talked about the progress farmers have made more generally, and you gave us a beautiful kind of example of the progress that you've made, the changes you've made. How can regulation recognize that progress while still supporting further improvement?
SPEAKER_00I think it comes down to celebrating progress and recognising that some of our challenges will take time. Sometimes it's easier to paint dairy farmers as the bad guys or even environmental vandals, but that's not how you take people with you or build confidence in the sector. And then early adopters and high environmental performers can also be recognized through longer compliance audit periods and reducing reporting obligations. We have some of this now, but it could go further to cut down the amount of compliance paperwork. We still have a huge amount of
Farmer-Led Change And Catchment Support
SPEAKER_00audit and compliance duplication, which isn't fun when you're poor on time.
SPEAKER_03As you said, environmental improvements, you know, they do take time to implement and also time to see the benefits of them, and they require investment. What would help farmers like you kind of keep making progress when government priorities they can shift every time the government changes?
SPEAKER_00I think for this area as a sector we need to own the issue. We can wait for government to come out with a stick to drive change, but we really need to drive it ourselves. This means that we need a good understanding of the problem, what solutions are available, who can support with its implementation and ensure we're monitoring our progress to highlight the wins and inform if further change is needed. And I believe organizations such as Dairy and Z, Beef and Lamb, FAR, etc., have a critical role to play in this to make sure that we're continuing along that journey regardless of where we're at in the election cycle. And then I guess the other area is making sure that there's good support for catchment groups and community-led projects. I really see a bottom-up approach rather than top-down helps with ownership and you drive far better outcomes. So helping support those groups, making sure that they're properly funded and they've got the tools needed to implement the change that we're wanting to.
SPEAKER_03Thanks, Leighton.
What Success Looks Like Long Term
SPEAKER_03Tracy, looking beyond this election, how do you see these priorities supporting long-term success for dairy farmers and for the sector?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, so we just heard Leighton talk about it's about more than one election cycle. You know, we need policy that's enduring, that's long-term, that farmers know where they're at and what they've got ahead of them in terms of any change they might need to make or investment they might need to make. And so dairy's farming's always evolving, and farmers have, through history, we've adapted to changing expectations to markets, technology, and we're good at that. So the next phase is really about continuing to create value through productivity, sustainability, science, and innovation. There's a lot of opportunities at the moment in dairy, and having good policy really provides farmers with the certainty they need to make long term decisions, whether that's investing in infrastructure, whether it's trying out some kind of new technology, whether it's developing Developing their workforce or investing to improve their environmental outcomes. So you know, Dairy and Z's role is to help ensure farmers are well positioned to continue to deliver those benefits for many generations to come.
SPEAKER_03And say the next government did get these settings right, what would success look like there?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, so that speaks to that long-term pace again as well. So success would mean that farmers have confidence in the future, they have certainty to make those long-term decisions and bigger investments. It would mean that policy was practical, enduring, it was durable, it was grounded in evidence. It was able to be implemented on the ground, you know, with farmers like Layton and myself and others, and in a way that we've got confidence that the rules won't be changing all the time. Farmers would have access to good people and science and technology and infrastructure to help us remain globally competitive. We'd have really good biosecurity systems that were well resourced. I mean, ultimately, success is a dairy sector that's productive, it's resilient, it's trusted by the New Zealand public and globally, and it's one that continues to create value for farmers in regional communities and right across New Zealand. That our farmers are proud to be part of, too.
SPEAKER_03Thank
Episode Summary
SPEAKER_03you, Tracy. And thank you, Brian and Leighton. So there's a clear theme of needing good policy that works in the real world on real farms. Farmers wanting clear practical rules, strong biosecurity, skilled people, good science, workable technology, resilient rural infrastructure, and trusted animal welfare settings. And these things are all connected. They combine to give farmers the confidence to invest and to keep improving and to be able to run profitable, resilient businesses that contribute to thriving rural communities and to New Zealand more generally. DairyNZ's advocacy is about bringing farmers' practical experience and the best available evidence into those decisions so policy supports progress rather than stymies it. If you want to learn more about DairyNZ's priorities for the 2026 general election and about how DairyNZ is advocating on behalf of dairy farmers, visit DairyNZ.co.nz forward slash election dash priorities. You can also find out more about the Dairy Environment Leaders or join the network at DairyNZ.co.nz forward slash Dell, which is D E L. Now thanks for listening and we'll catch you next time. Matewa. If you'd like to get connected with DairyNZ's latest advice, research, tools, and resources, whether it's reading, scrolling, listening, or in person, you can visit dairynz.co.nz forward slash get-connected, and don't forget to hit follow to keep up to date with our latest episodes. As always, if you have any feedback on this podcast or have some ideas for future topics or guests, please email us at talkingdairy at dairynz.co.nz. Thanks for listening and we'll catch you next time on Talking Dairy.