Hurst sets direction for Federated Farmers

South Canterbury farmer Colin Hurst says his new role as national president of Federated Farmers is about service, teamwork and ensuring farmers have a strong voice where decisions are made.

The mixed arable and dairy farmer from the Waimate area was elected president at Federated Farmers’ annual meeting in June after serving three years as vice-president.

For Hurst, the presidency continues a commitment to giving back to the farming community.

“It is about community service and trying to make things better for our fellow farmers at the end of the day.”

Hurst has spent more than 30 years with Federated Farmers, beginning at branch level in South Canterbury before moving through regional and national roles.

While being “out the front” does not necessarily come naturally, he says his leadership style is collaborative.

“As president, I will try to be across all the topics as best I can, but we still have people who specialise in those areas.”

Gisborne farmer Sandra Faulkner has been elected vice-president.

“I am pretty rapt to have Sandra there. I have worked a lot with her and it is sort of the dream team really.”

Hurst takes on the presidency as a general election approaches, with Federated Farmers focused on five priorities for the next government: cutting the cost of farming, enabling technology and infrastructure, empowering community conservation, supporting young farmers and fixing local government.

Of those, Hurst says local government reform is particularly important.

In Canterbury, the dominance of Christchurch in regional decision-making has created tension between urban and rural communities.

“It becomes an us-and-them situation and it is not very stable politically.”

He favours local government structures based more closely around river catchments.

“You are managing the land and protecting rivers from flooding, so it makes sense to have structures based around those catchments.”

Cutting farming costs will also be central to the organisation’s election-year advocacy.

Federated Farmers is pushing for 10 new permitted activity standards, an end to whole-farm conversions to permanent carbon forestry, greater use of farm plans instead of resource consents, no new taxes for farmers and flexibility in regional land use.

Technology and infrastructure are also priorities. Hurst says new agricultural products can take up to six years to gain approval, despite many being safer for the environment and users.

Water storage is another key issue.

“New Zealand is not short of water,” he says.

He believes regions including Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Northland could benefit from greater support for water storage projects.

Federated Farmers is also seeking increased funding for the QEII National Trust, which Hurst says is a strong example of voluntary conservation.

“Farmers are lining up to get involved and the QEII Trust is having to turn people away.

“It is farmers effectively gifting that protection to the nation.”

One remaining issue from the organisation’s previous election platform is KiwiSaver access.

Federated Farmers wants farmers to be able to use KiwiSaver to help buy their first farm, just as others can use it for a first home.

“For farmers, the farm is your superannuation scheme. It is your business.”

Asked what success would look like at the end of his term, Hurst returns to the five-point plan.

“It is business as usual in many ways, and it is about cutting red tape.”

He wants progress on RMA and local government reform, productivity, trade and practical policy settings.

Hurst says the primary sector remains central to New Zealand’s economy.

“When farmers are doing well, they spend money in their communities. That creates jobs, pays taxes, builds roads, supports schools and health services, and helps the whole country get ahead.”

He is aware some farmers question whether Federated Farmers represents them, but says the organisation is built from the grassroots, with 24 provinces and about 150 elected representatives.

“We are the voice of farmers, and that voice resonates up from the grassroots.”

On environmental issues, Hurst prefers collaboration over public conflict.

“Rather than attacking each other through the media, it is better to try to understand the issues and work out solutions in a positive way. That is my style.”

For Hurst, the presidency comes back to ensuring farmers have a practical voice in national decision-making.

“My job as president is to make sure their voices are heard loud and clear wherever decisions are being made.”