We are now down to just 18 days before Saturday, October 14, 2023 and the election day. But voting starts on Monday, October 2, and you can vote at any voting place in New Zealand. (On election day, all voting places will be open from 9am to 7pm.)
To help you make an informed decision, we have a policy comparison tool, an independent service we have offered since the 2005 general election. It is a straight comparison tool, organised by subject. It doesn't involve any compiler judgments, and only lists policy position components in the actual words of each party (and each policy is linked to its original full source).
In this run-up to election day we are featuring some summaries of party policies that directly affect the economy of New Zealand. We hope they help.
Today's focus is on the rural sector. You can find these comparisons here.
ACT’s policies include shifting the responsibility of managing, regulating and verifying farming plans from central government to the regional government. This will result in the regional council being responsible for verifying farm plans.
The Green Party focus is on climate-friendly agriculture policies, such as ensuring the commitment to the international methane pledge, ensuring planted forestry is for the purpose of carbon offsetting and committing to keeping New Zealand environment free of GE organisms.
The National Party has announced a 2-for-1 rule, resulting in every new regulation that is being introduced by central or regional government, they must take two away. They would also introduce Rural Regulation Review Panel to consider all regulations affecting farmers.
New Zealand First propose an initiative to assist qualified new entrants into farm ownership by leveraging Landcorp’s balance sheet. They would also introduce funding to New Zealand Brand value initiatives, such as beef and lamb “Taste Pure Nature”.
TOP is focusing on creating a "natural capital economy" by incentivising farmers to change their land-use practices where it makes sense to them.
Labour and Te Pati Maori have released no agriculture-specific policies at this stage. If and when they do, we will include them in our comparatives.
You can find all these rural comparisons in more detail here along with direct links to each party's policy document.
Other policies that may also interest rural voters directly could include:
- Forestry
We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.
Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.