'We're quite excited': Fieldays farmer spending tipped to hit new highs
Huge numbers are rolling into Fieldays in Hamilton which kicked off today, with an
estimated 100,000 people
expected to attend between Wednesday and Saturday.
With a farmgate milk price of $10, record beef prices and strong sheep meat returns - the rural sector is on the up. Combine that with the government's recent move to allow farmers to deduct 20 percent off new farm equipment from their
taxable income
, and the prediction is sales could reach new highs.
The Minister of Agriculture also announced a $4 million boost to rural wellbeing, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said during his visit to Fieldays that he wanted farmers to know they were "deeply loved" by the government.
That's certainly something that agricultural machinery companies are feeling, down at the Husqvarna stand there were plenty of smiles and national sales manager Steve Middleton told RNZ there had been a recent uptick in spending and mood amongst farmers.
Steve Middleton says sales are on the upward curve.
Photo:
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
"We're seeing an improvement, there's been a lot of signals in the market place in the rural sector that we're seeing signs of the times getting better and farmers are looking to spend some of the cash they've built up.
"We're definitely seeing it come through particularly in robotic auto mowers and lawn tractors - it's positive and we are on the upward curve now," he said.
Palmerston North dairy farmers Christian Allen and Anna Maley believe the 20 percent tax reduction will make a difference.
"Farm owners I think will be more willing to spend a bit more money and upgrade some gear considering it's 20 percent off you can get back.
Palmerston North dairy farmers Christian Allen and Anna Maley.
Photo:
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
"Farmers with older tractors that have done seven or eight thousand hours, it'll be more appealing to trade it in and get a new one, less hassle," he said.
A sentiment that has businesses feeling optimistic. CNH business manager John Gilbert told RNZ that sales of Case and New Holland tractors were likely to be high at this year's Fieldays.
"We're quite excited, I think there's a sense of a mood shift. Last year we sold 40 tractors at Fieldays and this year we're hoping to eclipse that.
"With the tax boost announced a few weeks ago by government that's really got people talking and we've seen evidence of that already in the market - people are buying tractors," Gilbert said.
John Gilbert is expecting this year's sales to eclipse last year's.
Photo:
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
However, that's not the case for all of the 1200 exhibitors at Fieldays. A few tents along at the All Trade Tools stand, key account manager Rodney Smith told RNZ their clients, many DIYers and tradies, were not doing as well as farmers at the moment.
"It's been tough for us out there, we're down considerably year on year. We're finding the DIY market is non existent at the moment.
"I think interest rates, mortgages - people don't have that money in their pocket to go out and spend a couple hundred dollars on something they really don't need," he said.
A cautious approach the Jowsey family is taking, they farm sheep and beef in Raglan and mum Amber said even in the good seasons, they were always careful.
"You've still got to stay within your limits but farmgate prices are pretty good so doesn't feel bad like last year... for sure," she said.
The Jowsey family from Raglan on their annual trip to Fieldays.
Photo:
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Husband Clint Jowsey is eyeing up solar water pumps, and is relieved to see the rural economy doing well.
"I reckon it's going pretty good at the moment, it's ticking over," he said.
Whangārei farmers Julie and Bruce Paton are also looking for some Fieldays deals such as water tanks.
"We certainly feel we can spend a bit more this year. Because we're in dairy and beef, and both are up, so why wouldn't we be positive about that," they said.
Whangārei farmers Julie and Bruce Paton on their annual Fieldays trip.
Photo:
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
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Michael Forbes. Photo: LinkedIn/Michael Forbes Police immediately escalated allegations about the prime minister's former deputy chief press secretary Michael Forbes to the police executive - including the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner - but Forbes was told the "onus was on him" to inform his employer, documents released under the Official Information Act reveal. Forbes, a former journalist, resigned after it emerged he recorded audio of multiple sessions with Wellington sex workers, and amassed a gallery of women working out at the gym, shopping and being filmed through a window getting ready to go out. Police earlier said they got a complaint from a Wellington brothel last July after images were found on a client's phone, but decided the case did not meet the threshold for prosecution . On Wednesday, a series of documents were released to RNZ under the Official Information Act, including a timeline of key events and executive notifications. 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Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson At 6.47pm, Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell received a text from a senior sergeant advising him of the allegations. Parnell replied and said he needed them to "ensure we calm the farm and step through things. Already a cast of 1000s in the loop". At 7pm Parnell emailed Sweeney, van den Heuvel and Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham and said Kura had been briefed. "Expressed my frustration that a cast of thousand notified for what is a matter well within the normal investigation capability of our team." He ended the email saying: "suggest some thought is given to a response in the event of media interest". Sweeney replied there needed to be a look at the serious crime notifications in general "as they all go far and wide now". "Maybe District commanders and crime managers local get advised then use normal channels. Creates a bit much excitement." The documents included an investigation summary, which said on 12 July 2024, Wellington Police received a complaint that Forbes had covertly made an audio recording the previous day while engaging the services of a sex worker. "The informant advised police that they had taken two mobile phones from Forbes, one believed to be a personal phone, the other a work device. The informant also reported finding other audio files, images and videos that caused concern." The informant was spoken to by police and both phones were taken. "Once it was established that Forbes was a senior press secretary at Parliament, procedural escalation notifications were made that evening. "The Wellington District Command Centre was advised, as was the duty inspector." On 13 July, a detective obtained search warrants to examine the two cell phones. "The suspected offence was making an intimate visual recording, being an offence against section 216H of the Crimes Act 1961." 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Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
an hour ago
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Former press secretary Michael Forbes told to inform employer himself after filming allegations
Michael Forbes. Photo: LinkedIn/Michael Forbes Police immediately escalated allegations about the prime minister's former deputy chief press secretary Michael Forbes to the police executive - including the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner - but Forbes was told the "onus was on him" to inform his employer, documents released under the Official Information Act reveal. Forbes, a former journalist, resigned after it emerged he recorded audio of multiple sessions with Wellington sex workers, and amassed a gallery of women working out at the gym, shopping and being filmed through a window getting ready to go out. Police earlier said they got a complaint from a Wellington brothel last July after images were found on a client's phone, but decided the case did not meet the threshold for prosecution . On Wednesday, a series of documents were released to RNZ under the Official Information Act, including a timeline of key events and executive notifications. The incident at the Wellington brothel happened at 7pm on 11 July. Police Comms was notified the following day at 5.40pm. Ten minutes later the National Command and Coordination Centre was alerted and then the District Command Centre. At 6.15pm on 12 July an email was then sent to a large number of senior police leaders, including former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming and others. "Police Comms have been called by an informant who works for an escort agency. The informant has found images on a client's phone of naked females, including one very intoxicated female that appear to have been taken with the consent of those photographed/filmed. "The client is allegedly Michael FORBES who is the Senior Press Secretary for the Hon Louise Upston, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Social Development and Employment, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction. "The alleged offender has left his personal and work cell phones with the informant. The file has been assigned to the Wellington District Crime Squad for attendance." The police media team had been notified, the email said. The email was recalled about 20 minutes later after now Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura said asked for the recall as "the distribution list is too broad for this type of communication". The staffer replied they had. Kura said the case was "one of those ones that is a little more sensitive and didn't need such a wide audience". Police said that as the email, which was sent to nearly 40 senior staff, was recalled "not all the people on the distribution list would have seen the notification email or had any awareness of the details". At 6.26pm Detective Superintendent Darryl Sweeney texted Detective Inspector John van den Heuvel to say the National Command and Coordination Centre had sent the notification "viral". John van den Heuvel. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson At 6.47pm, Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell received a text from a senior sergeant advising him of the allegations. Parnell replied and said he needed them to "ensure we calm the farm and step through things. Already a cast of 1000s in the loop". At 7pm Parnell emailed Sweeney, van den Heuvel and Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham and said Kura had been briefed. "Expressed my frustration that a cast of thousand notified for what is a matter well within the normal investigation capability of our team." He ended the email saying: "suggest some thought is given to a response in the event of media interest". Sweeney replied there needed to be a look at the serious crime notifications in general "as they all go far and wide now". "Maybe District commanders and crime managers local get advised then use normal channels. Creates a bit much excitement." The documents included an investigation summary, which said on 12 July 2024, Wellington Police received a complaint that Forbes had covertly made an audio recording the previous day while engaging the services of a sex worker. "The informant advised police that they had taken two mobile phones from Forbes, one believed to be a personal phone, the other a work device. The informant also reported finding other audio files, images and videos that caused concern." The informant was spoken to by police and both phones were taken. "Once it was established that Forbes was a senior press secretary at Parliament, procedural escalation notifications were made that evening. "The Wellington District Command Centre was advised, as was the duty inspector." On 13 July, a detective obtained search warrants to examine the two cell phones. "The suspected offence was making an intimate visual recording, being an offence against section 216H of the Crimes Act 1961." On 15 July, a detective visited Forbes and advised him of the police investigation. During that visit Forbes provided access codes for the phones. On 18 July, a detective examined the phones. "Located within both phones were numerous videos, screenshots and photos of unidentified females, some in various state of undress, and exposed breasts were visible in multiple videos. "It was apparent to detectives that some images were taken in, and from, public places, including a gym. Some images were also taken through street facing windows of unidentified women, dressing (undressing) themselves, and who were visible from the waist up." Christopher Luxon and Louise Upston. Photo: Marika Khabazi The summary said the examination of the phones did not identify evidence of criminal offending. On 18 July, Forbes met with a detective and the phones were returned to him. "He was also provided copies of the search warrants that had been obtained. "During the meeting it was suggested that Forbes should delete some of the images on his phones, and he began doing so. Police also stressed the onus was on him to inform his employer." On 19 July, police provided an update to the complainant. On 6 August, police also provided an update to another staff member at the brothel. "They expressed frustration and disappointment with the outcome," the summary said. In an earlier statement, van den Heuvel earlier said that as part of the investigation, police obtained a search warrant to seize two of his phones. On examining the phones, police found a number of photos and videos of women in public spaces, and what appeared to be women in private addresses, taken from a distance away, van den Heuvel said. "Police considered the available evidence and concluded it did not meet the requirements for criminality, and therefore charges could not be filed. "The individual concerned voluntarily spoke with police and admitted to taking the images and recordings. He was reminded of the inappropriateness of his behaviour and encouraged to seek help." Forbes also deleted the images in the presence of police. "Police acknowledge this man's behaviour was extremely distressing for the women involved and would like to reassure them that any new information will be thoroughly considered. "Based on the initial report and available evidence to date, police are unable to progress the matter further." Van den Heuvel said that any new information regarding Forbes would be "thoroughly considered". When earlier asked why police did not alert the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) after executing a search warrant on a government-issued phone, the department said: "We are still gathering facts and will look into all of this as part of our deep dive." The DIA said all Ministerial Services staff were subject to standard pre-employment checks when they were first employed. These included reference checks, serious misconduct checks and a criminal conviction check. In addition, security clearances were required for some positions in ministers' offices. The department said these checks were completed when Forbes was first employed by Ministerial Services and were not required for the later temporary assignment to the prime minister's office. "We acknowledge staff may be unsettled or feel their safety may have been compromised. We are committed to supporting our people and ensuring they feel, and are, safe at work." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the incidents that were investigated by police but did not lead to any charges occurred after he was vetted to work for Social Development Minister Louise Upston. "He has an obligation to actually declare those issues or those incidents to us - that didn't happen which is why his employment would have been terminated, obviously," Luxon said in a media conference at Parliament in June. "But there is a good question about making sure, and I have asked specifically for DIA to look at vetting processes." He added that the expectation was on Forbes to have raised the incidents with the prime minister's office "because it impacts the office and the reputation of the office, for obvious reasons, but that did not happen". Forbes moved from Upston's office to the prime minister's in February this year and "had the vetting that he needed to come into the Beehive". "We will look at that to make sure that there is anything else we could have done differently in that vetting." Luxon would not discuss what level of security clearance Forbes had in the Beehive. Luxon also had questions about whether the investigation should have been elevated by police to the Beehive. 'We have to take this incident and understand what has happened here and how it happened, and what more can we do about it. "I think it is a legitimate question to say, what can we look at between the inter-agency processes, between the different agencies, whether it is police, whether it is the SIS or whether it is Ministerial Services." Forbes earlier offered an apology for the harm his actions caused to women. "I want to offer my sincerest apologies to the women I have harmed," he said in a statement. "In the past, I was in a downward spiral due to unresolved trauma and stress, and when confronted with the impacts of my behaviour a year ago, I sought professional help, which is something I wish I had done much earlier. "What I failed to do then was make a genuine attempt to apologise. Instead, I tried to move on without offering those I had harmed the acknowledgement, accountability, or amends they deserved. I recognise how wrong that was." Forbes said he spent the past year "reflecting on how I may have affected these women's sense of safety and ability to go about their lives and work". "No one should ever feel violated, unsafe, or disrespected, especially in spaces where they should feel secure, and I am truly sorry for contributing to an environment where women may have felt otherwise," he said. "The therapy I've received over the past year has helped me to understand the roots of my behaviour and begin addressing the patterns that led to it. This is a long-term commitment to change that I take very seriously. "I understand that my past actions may have undermined the trust people place in me. So, I have resigned from my job to focus on the work I need to do." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
