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Karen Williams is Chief Executive of Irrigation New Zealand and a long-time advocate for farmers and rural communities. With a background spanning farming, industry leadership and agricultural advocacy, she brings a practical voice to some of the sector’s biggest conversations around water, land use and the future of food production. 1. You’ve worked across farming, advocacy and irrigation leadership. What has kept drawing you into roles where rural voices need to be heard? M

My daily commute is filling up with glittering signs proclaiming pointless slogans from airbrushed, friendly-looking wannabe politicians angling for my vote. The news is full of stories about the Opportunity Party, while Labour is saying very little, presumably hoping National will lose before they put their foot in their mouth. Election season must be upon us. Most policy announcements from the major parties seem to focus on health and the cost of living, which is presumably

A Lighter Touch programme director Livia Esterhazy says pesticide resistance is a growing global threat with implications for crop production and food security. Pesticide resistance is often compared with antibiotic resistance in humans. The more heavily a product is relied upon, the greater the chance the pest, weed or disease it is designed to control will adapt and become harder to kill. For New Zealand growers, that is no longer a distant or theoretical risk. A Lighter To

Rose Hinton, left, with Jenny and Wayne Chisnall. The Hursley Terrace and Newcombes Road residents are among those opposing Plan Change 7. Claire Inkson Hurunui District Council says Rosewood Terrace is about giving Amberley Beach residents somewhere to go if natural hazards eventually make relocation necessary. But with around 230 sections proposed, roughly half intended for sale on the open market, opposition from neighbouring rural residents and the beach residents’ associ

Georgie Woods was named the 2026 Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand Rural Ambassador after being nominated by the Northern A&P Association. For Georgie Woods, being named the 2026 Royal Agricultural Society Rural Ambassador was more than a personal achievement. It was recognition of the role young people can play in ensuring New Zealand’s A&P movement has a future. Nominated by the Northern A&P Association, Woods progressed through the competition before taking out the

Collective community action is well supported locally, as was demonstrated at this Enviro Collective workshop hosted by Somerview Farm The nature of collective community action typically starts small and gradually spreads outwards. Individuals, farm owners and farm teams, catchment groups, and in the case of Mid Canterbury - a catchment collective. Ensuring there is a district-wide vision requires leadership and collaboration as locals can come together around a common goal.

“We know the average outcome of El Niño, but no El Niño is average.” That is the message from Earth Sciences New Zealand Chief Scientist Weather and Seasonal Forecasting Chris Brandolino, as farmers begin preparing for what could be one of the strongest El Niño events on record. Earth Sciences New Zealand has confirmed El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and expects the climate driver to strongly influence New Zealand’s weather through spring, summer and

Canterbury and Otago farmers and growers are being encouraged to check their irrigation systems and water-use plans now, as El Niño increases the likelihood of drier conditions across eastern parts of New Zealand. Earth Sciences New Zealand has confirmed that El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strongly influence New Zealand’s weather into 2027. Irricon principal environmental consultant Sarah Rickard says the outlook is a timely remi

It’s amazing to think that the Carters Creek catchment group is now three years old. One of the more recent achievements of the group has been looking after a council reserve area next to the creek on Melcombe Street, gradually planting it out to reduce sediment and pollutants entering the creek. A nearby local in his eighties wandered over to tell us recently that he enjoys visiting the site. The area is no longer an eye sore and he feels we are doing a good job protecting

Professor Matthew Wilson on the left and researcher Xander Cai on the right, holding the prototype sensor, which will be mounted to a pole above fence height and linked to a computer system which runs the AI technology. Amy Riach A brand-new venture for GPS signals: moonlighting for a water management system on New Zealand farms. Using artificial intelligence and satellite technology, a new research project designed to measure soil moisture may help to guide Kiwi farmers mak

"Absolutely shocked!" From right, Michelle, Tony, and Kate Roberts, thrilled to celebrate their unexpected win at Ballance Environment Trust Awards. From Merino Downs, the Roberts' were named winners of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase in Christchurch on July 2. Supplied. Michelle and Tony Roberts didn't inherit the farming business they have today. Instead, they began with a passion, a move south, and a willingness to build their future fr

No matter which government comes to power after the 2026 New Zealand general election, it may make little difference to farmers if the people speaking on their behalf are not getting it right. That is the view of Groundswell spokesperson Jamie McFadden, who says the biggest issue facing the sector is not just policy, but a growing disconnect between farmers, advocacy groups and government. “The biggest challenge is the disconnect,” McFadden said. “It’s a disconnect from the r

The Whitcombe Landcare Group has been quietly building real momentum across the upper Rakaia catchment, with the past year marked by practical progress in freshwater monitoring, pest management and community-led environmental action. Backed by facilitation support and targeted project funding, the group has been turning local knowledge and landholder commitment into meaningful work on the ground. One of the group’s main areas of focus has been developing a coordinated pest ma

Kerry and Paul Harmer continue with riparian planting 560 carex secta plants within the Ashburton Lakes catchment on Sunday 22 March. Gathering science/facts has been an ongoing focus for the Ōtūwharekai Ashburton Lakes Catchment Group, we then use these facts to drive catchment-wide and on-farm management decisions to minimise our farming footprint. Our monthly water testing results of waterways travelling through our properties from several different sites show samples take

As with most parents, my mornings and life blood are fuelled by the beautiful brown elixir that is coffee. We even splurged on our own machine and our Covid panic buy was not extra toilet paper, but 20 kg of green beans and an at-home roaster. Owning a home coffee machine comes with both advantages and challenges. The water tank requires frequent refilling and it’s easy to overfill when in a rush. After one particularly sleepless night, I did exactly that, but instead of the

Ravensdown chief executive Garry Diack. Footrot Flats has been part of kiwi culture since it was created by Murray Ball in the 1970s. Supplied. After several tough seasons in the agriculture sector, there’s a sense things are finally turning, says Garry Diack, Ravensdown chief executive. “We’re a bit of a cork in the tide of farmer fortunes. When the fortunes are going well, so do we. The long-term outlook for sheep and beef has given a bit more confidence to the sales proces

A community gathering in the Greenstreet Hall to talk about the Ashburton River, hosted by Greenstreet Catchment Group. Across Mid Canterbury, catchment groups are getting on with the job of improving their natural environment, building resilience and strengthening community connections. One group in particular – the Greenstreet Catchment Group – has found its groove over the past year, demonstrating what is possible when local leadership is backed by consistent support from

Castle Ridge Station’s Paul and Kerry Harmer after being named Canterbury Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Supplied Castle Ridge Station’s Kerry Harmer says she and her family were “blown away” to be named the Canterbury Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards on March 5. “We were pretty overwhelmed,” she says. “We don’t really think we’re doing anything amazing. We just do what we think is right for us and for the pla

Environment Canterbury is proposing an average rate rise of 2.9%, but several councillors fear the environment will pay the price. SUPPLIED Canterbury’s regional council is proposing a rate rise of under three percent, as it faces major reform and financial constraints. Environment Canterbury adopted its draft 2026/27 annual plan on February 25 proposing an average rate rise of 2.9%. But one councillor broke down in tears as she expressed frustration at the constraints placed

Canterbury councils are divided over a government proposal that would replace elected regional councillors with a mayor-led board, with Ashburton backing the change while Environment Canterbury warns it would undermine regional governance. PHOTO MT HUTT SKI AREA Canterbury councils are divided over a government proposal to replace regional councils with a mayor-led board. Ashburton District Council generally supports the proposal, Selwyn is more cautious, and Environment Cant