Federated Farmers: A Pillar in New Zealand's Agricultural Advocacy

Location and Overview: Federated Farmers is based in New Zealand, serving rural and agricultural communities across the nation. As a leading advocacy group, it is committed to representing the interests of farmers and ensuring their voices are significant in policy-making processes impacting the agricultural sector.

Financial Indicators: Being a non-profit organization, Federated Farmers does not release traditional financial figures such as revenue and profits. Instead, its performance is evaluated through its effectiveness in influencing agricultural policy and securing favorable outcomes for New Zealand's farming community.

Important Events: The organization has been instrumental in securing financial relief for farmers by successfully advocating during council rate discussions across New Zealand. This effort underscores Federated Farmers' commitment to securing economic relief for its members and positively influencing agricultural policy direction. Additionally, Federated Farmers is leading efforts to revoke Greenpeace's charity status due to repeated illegal activities and the spreading of harmful misinformation.

Leadership: Under the chairmanship of Richard McIntyre, Federated Farmers plays a crucial role in strategic advocacy. McIntyre is recognized for his significant local and international influence, and under his leadership, the organization actively participates in national and international dialogues relevant to agriculture. The dairy chair, Matthew Zonderop, also emphasizes the organization's resilience in facing challenging conditions. Karl Dean is the chair of the Federated Farmers dairy section, emphasizing the importance of focusing on controllable aspects of farming in response to price declines.

Future Plans: Federated Farmers plans to continue its advocacy with a strong focus on sustainability and economic viability. The organization aims to collaborate more closely with government entities to adapt to emerging challenges, ensuring that agricultural policies support sustainable and economically sound farming practices. Richard McIntyre has expressed an optimistic vision for the future of farming in New Zealand. Additionally, Federated Farmers is involved in addressing visa issues in the dairy industry, with Karl Dean emphasizing the need for proactive measures by employers to retain skilled workers. Federated Farmers also supports initiatives like the 2025 Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards, reinforcing its role in advancing the industry. Federated Farmers' arable group is chaired by David Birkett, who noted that approximately half of the new consents involve arable farmers converting part of their land to dairy farming. The chairman of the arable group noted the impact of low global wheat prices and high milk payouts on the transition from arable to dairy farming.

Modified: 2026/01/11