Groundswell NZ formed in 2020 out of frustration at the NPS on Freshwater regulations, particularly the winter grazing rules. We have since grown to be a voice for grassroots rural New Zealand, standing up for food producers and rural communities when traditional advocacy bodies have not.
Seeking advocacy that is united as one strong voice to central government (instead of different groups with different agendas all covering their own positions instead of what is best for grassroots farmers and all of New Zealand Agriculture).
The Government is to appoint an independent Ministerial advisory panel to review New Zealand’s biogenic methane science and targets. We want to ensure that the panel is not made up of ‘yes people’ there to tick the box & collect the salary.
Change the climate change policies and ETS settings to stop the perverse incentives that are driving food producing farms into carbon farming and destroying rural communities.
Ensure the Coalition Government's RMA Reform is comprehensive including a complete overhaul of Section 6 land classifications:
Repeal the NPS Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB) and rewrite it as part of the RMA reforms so that private property rights are protected and indigenous biodiversity on private land is an asset, not a liability, to the landowner.
Ensure the rewrite of Freshwater regulations is followed through to deliver workable legislation that provides for regionally and locally led solutions and a simplified, efficient planning and consent system.
Repeal the mandatory Freshwater Farm Plans legislation and replace it with industry-supported integrated farm plans.
Establishing an official review of Rural Banking, including the regulations and pressure on banks to meddle in agricultural emissions.
Ute Tax
The "clean car" rules penalised ute buyers, even though there was no viable electric vehicle alternative.
He Waka Eke Noa aka The Farming Tax
The Labour, Green, and industry bodies' failed attempt to tax agricultural emissions.
Winter Grazing Regulations
A one-size-fits-all approach for the whole nation, including unworkable mandatory sowing dates and exclusions for sloping paddocks.
Three Waters
The confiscation of locally built water assets by central government to be run by unaccountable, far off bureaucrats.
Labour-Green Government
Politicians with an anti-farming agenda.
Mapping of new SNAs aka The Land Grab
District councils faced a mandatory requirement to map SNAs that would have trampled over private property rights, cost ratepayers millions, and turned biodiversity into a liability.
Labour's RMA reforms: The NBA and SPA
(Natural and Built Environment Act & Spatial Planning Act)
Unworkable legislation worse than the RMA they replaced.
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