Government Must Deliver On KiwiSaver Promise For Young Farmers
Press Release – Federated Farmers
Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment.
Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on National's pre-election promise to change KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the farming ladder.
On the eve of the 2023 election National pledged that, if elected to Government, they would allow young farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home, farm, herd or flock.
'They made that campaign promise in Morrinsville, but 18 months later there has been no action,' says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre.
'The announcement was incredibly popular, particularly among the next generation of farmers, but also with older farmers who are looking for succession pathways.
'There are a lot of people out there waiting for these changes to be made, so it's important they follow through and deliver on their promise.'
While National MP Suze Redmayne has since submitted a Members' Bill that would address some of the issues young farmers face, McIntyre says that isn't enough.
'It's great that Suze has put forward a bill – but it's one of more than 70 others in the Members' Ballot. It's effectively a raffle and the bill may never be drawn.
'That aside, having a Members' Bill in the biscuit tin doesn't even come close to delivering on their campaign promise. It needs to be picked up as a Government Bill.
'To make that happen, we need the Minister of Agriculture, and all rural MPs, to really get in behind farmers and push hard on this issue. They should be championing the cause.'
McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment.
'These rules are holding young farmers back years in their career progression as they scrimp and save every dollar to get on the ladder, particularly for sharemilkers and contract milkers.
'I understand that KiwiSaver is about saving for retirement, but for these young farmers, owning a farm, herd or flock is going to be what sets them up for their later years.
'These are ambitious young people who are trying to build a future in farming, who just need the Government to get out of their way and allow them to access their own savings to invest in their future.
'A change in policy would give them a tangible pathway towards ownership and investment in agriculture – something the next generation of farmers desperately needs to see.'
McIntyre says changing the rules would help level the playing field for young farmers and encourage greater use of KiwiSaver.
'A lot of young people in towns get into KiwiSaver because they know they can use it as a great way to build a deposit for their first house. 'In their early years, that's effectively what they're doing – not saving for their retirement.
'On the other hand, so many young farmers don't use KiwiSaver because they know they're not allowed to access that for their first home, farm, herd, or flock.
'They won't be able to use those savings until their retirement, whereas there are really important things they need to invest in early in their careers, long before retirement age.
'It's an unfair playing field and young farmers are missing out on a key step towards growing their long-term wealth.'
Federated Farmers are strongly calling on the National-led Government to deliver on this campaign promise and show their support for the next generation of farmers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
17 minutes ago
- Scoop
TIA Celebrates Announcement Of Tourism Growth Roadmap And Is Ready To Get Going
Press Release – Tourism Industry Aotearoa Tourism Industry Aotearoa has welcomed the Government's announcement of the Tourism Growth Roadmap. 'We are thrilled to have a plan in place to support the tourism industry to grow its significant contribution to our economy, and help our industry to thrive,' says Rebecca Ingram, Chief Executive Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA). Ms Ingram notes the alignment of the seven announced workstreams within the Roadmap to the key actions identified in TIA's industry strategy Tourism 2050 – a Blueprint for Impact. 'The industry developed strategy launched in November 2023 and has formed the foundation of thinking and advocacy since. 'The Roadmap announced yesterday is a significant step forward and we look forward to working with government and government agencies to get stuck into the detail behind the workstreams and get this work underway. Included in the announcement made by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality in her opening address at MEETINGS 2025 in Auckland last night, was details of additional funding to attract overseas visitors. 'As part of the $35 million announced to deliver the Roadmap this year, it was great to see not only funding for international marketing, but also $3m to attract business events and $5m towards the Major Events fund. 'We know that events are a key stimulus to drive arrivals through traditionally quieter periods – this funding will help to attract highly valued visitors and will be music to the ears of many in the industry. Major and mega events are not easy to secure and this boost of funding will make a difference.' TIA looks forward to working with government on the workstreams over the coming months. Key Facts Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) is Aotearoa New Zealand tourism's peak industry body. We are the only independent association that represents all sectors of the country's large and diverse tourism industry. TIA has about 1,200 member businesses from across the industry, ranging from small owner/operators to large publicly listed tourism corporates and international hotel chains. TIA leads implementation of the industry's Tourism Sustainability Commitment, which aims to see every tourism business in Aotearoa New Zealand contributing positively to our people and cultures, our environment and our economy. TIA delivers a comprehensive and diverse range of industry events including TRENZ, New Zealand Tourism Awards and Tourism Summit Aotearoa.
Scoop
17 minutes ago
- Scoop
Saying Yes To More Housing
Press Release – New Zealand Government Minister for RMA Reform Hon Simeon Brown Minister for Auckland City-shaping changes are coming to New Zealand's largest city, ensuring that Auckland can fully harness the economic growth benefits of the new City Rail Link, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill (the Bill) has been reported back to Parliament today by the Environment Committee, containing significant changes to enable housing growth in our largest cities. 'After many months, Auckland Council and the Government have reached agreement to free up more land for housing, particularly around City Rail Link (CRL) stations. These are some of the most significant changes to the shape of Auckland since the Auckland Unitary Plan,' Mr Bishop says. 'It doesn't make sense that we have single story houses on quarter acre sections a stone's throw away from stations that, in a year or so, will see trains every few minutes. 'The Government and the Council are investing billions in CRL and have a shared vision for stations that become hubs for public transport, mixed use development and new housing. 'Successive Governments and Councils have failed to grasp this opportunity for economic growth in New Zealand's largest city. This is how modern, growing cities all around the world operate, and now it's Auckland's turn.' 'Today's announcements are a result of Auckland Council and the Government working together to deliver a plan for more housing that works for Auckland. The Bill now has the effect of abolishing the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) in Auckland while requiring more housing density around key public transport corridors – a common sense solution for Auckland,' Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says. 'Auckland must grow to fully meet its potential as a world-leading city. The one sized-fits-all approach of the MDRS was not appropriate for Auckland. Today's announcement will ensure our city grows where it makes the most sense and maximise on the significant investment made in the City Rail Link.' 'I want to thank Auckland Council, particularly Mayor Brown and Councillor Richard Hills, for their pragmatic approach to solving these complex challenges over many months,' Mr Bishop says. 'Mayor Brown has previously described this situation as 'RMA gymnastics' and he is right, but I am confident that these arrangements align with our shared vison of density and development in places that work for Aucklanders.' Removing ability to opt-out of the MDRS 'The Bill as introduced provided councils with the flexibility to opt out of the MDRS, if they could show they had provided for 30 years of housing growth in their district and unitary plans,' Mr Bishop says. 'Councils have been going through plan changes for years in order to incorporate the MDRS. Most councils have already substantially completed their plan changes through this process, with just three (Auckland, Christchurch and Waimakariri) yet to finish. 'The practical reality is that if councils did vote to 'opt out' of the MDRS, they would have to pass a new plan change to do so, and due to the length of time this typically takes under the RMA, by the time this was complete, the Government's new planning system is expected to be in place. 'Fundamentally, it would have achieved nothing, but cost ratepayers a lot. 'The Government has therefore taken the pragmatic view that it would be sensible to remove the ability for councils to opt out of the MDRS and to work on bespoke legislative solutions for Auckland and Christchurch instead.' New plan change for Auckland 'Auckland's intensification plan change, PC78, has been underway since 2022. Progress has been slow for many reasons, including the Auckland floods. The intensification plan change process does not allow Auckland to 'downzone' certain areas due to natural hazard risk – only to 'upzone' them – and the Council wrote to the government asking them to fix this problem,' Mr Bishop says. 'The Government has therefore agreed to change the Bill to allow Auckland to withdraw PC78. However, the government is determined to unlock housing capacity in Auckland and fix our housing crisis and has taken steps to ensure this is achieved. 'Earlier in the year I directed Auckland Council to bring forward decisions on the parts of PC78 that relate to the city centre, requiring final decisions to be made by the end of May. Auckland Council met this requirement, finalising this part of PC78 on 22 May 2025. 'These decisions made by the council are a step forward in increasing development capacity in Auckland's CBD, but there is more work to be done. 'The Bill as reported back from the committee now allows Auckland Council to remove the remaining parts of PC78, but requires them to process a new plan change urgently. This plan change must be notified by 10 October this year, and must enable housing capacity equal to or greater than that enabled by PC78. 'As I've indicated, the Government is keen to see greater density around public transport, particularly City Rail Link stations. The Bill therefore now also requires Auckland to allow for greater density around the key CRL stations of Maungawhau (Mount Eden), Kingsland, and Morningside. 'Auckland Council must enable within a walkable distance from these stations heights and densities reflective of the higher demand for housing and business in these areas. This requirement goes further than the existing requirements under the NPS-UD, and I expect heights and densities that ensure we make the most of the opportunities offered by this transformational transport project. 'The government is also considering whether further amendments to the Bill to fully maximise development opportunities around other CRL stations as necessary, and I will have more to say in due course.' 30 years of growth for Christchurch 'Christchurch City Council also requires a bespoke solution, as they have made a number of decisions on their plan change to implement the MDRS and NPS-UD, known as PC14, but have yet to complete it,' Mr Bishop says. 'Last week I released my decisions on the recommendations from the Council on parts of PC14. These decisions will enable a greater level of development in and around Christchurch City's urban centres. 'Christchurch City Council is currently required to finalise the MDRS components of PC14 by December 2025. The Bill will allow Christchurch to withdraw the MDRS parts of PC14 provided they allow for 30 years of housing growth at the same time. Assessment of that target will be made by me based on advice from officials.' Additional changes 'In addition to these changes, the Environment Select Committee has recommended a suite of changes to improve the workability of the Bill and help unlock growth in infrastructure and energy, farming and the primary sector,' Mr Bishop says. The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill will have its second reading in the coming weeks and is expected to pass into law in mid-2025.'
Kiwiblog
17 minutes ago
- Kiwiblog
Reserve Bank confirms Orr quit over funding
The Herald reports: The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has confirmed Adrian Orr resigned as Governor as he wanted more funding for the central bank than the Government was willing to provide. The bank said in a statement released under the Official Information Act that its board – chaired by Neil Quigley – conceded a lesser amount of funding was fine. 'This led to Mr Orr's personal decision that he had achieved all he could as Governor of the Reserve Bank and could not continue in that role with significantly less funding than he thought was viable for the organisation,' the RBNZ said. 'Mr Orr and Professor Quigley entered discussions which led to Mr Orr's decision to resign. The matter was distressing for Mr Orr. Distressing? Distressing for taxpayers maybe. The Reserve Bank had unprecedented growth in staff numbers and expenses under Orr, and he found it distressing that the Government wouldn't;t give him even more money? From 250 staff to 660, and he says it wasn't enough to do the job. Incredible. And when his own Board backed the Government, he got in a huff and quit.
