October 21, 2025 • 8 mins
A North Otago farmer and former winner of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards takes time out from the tailing pen to talk about reduced methane targets, the mega-strikes, and the red meat industry. Plus, she shares her Jim Bolger story.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
She is a North Otago farmer who's taken time out
from her busy day. She's been tailing in the wind,
and there's been plenty of wind around the country at
the moment. Her name is Jane Smith. Now Jane. Today's
musical theme is the Spice Girls, And without wanting to
give your age away, I reckon you would be of
an age where you were a bit of a spicy
(00:21):
fan when you were a youngster. Now I'm going to
ask you who your favorite spice girl is. But when
it comes to comparing you to one of the Spice girls,
it's not Baby Spice with the blonde hair. It's Scary Spice.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Well, I think it's probably on point, Jamie. Actually after
this morning's tailing out in the Norwista, and I was
just thinking this morning the Norweista is about as useful
as a unionist on strike, Jamie in terms of absolutely
use it.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
All in it.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
I think we're week five or week six of the
Norwista today.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
So Scary Spicy I'll take that.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
But yeah, spy skills, I certainly though are around in
my era, but I absolutely couldn't stand them. I mean,
nothing worse than a girl band, So no, I don't
like your choice music at all today, Jamie.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Oh, well there you go. I'm a big boy band fan.
So we differ on that one. Look in my absence, Jane,
the methane targets emission targets have been halved, so that
will negate any use for your bunch of merry men
and women the methane Science Accord.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Oh, if I agreed with you, Jamie, we would both
be wrong on that one. In terms of the methane targets, yes,
they're slightly more palatable, but remembering that even the IPCC
have said that the methane the warming effect of methane
has been ovastated by four hundred percent, so we're not
even halfway there. So I mean, the Methane Review Panel
knew that as well, and they also knew that.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
That no reduction is required at all.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
But I guess politically again, it would wouldn't have been
very palatable because not so much around the Paris are
called expectations, but the amount of money that still is
being squandered of taxpayer money on methane reduction pills them
oceans and baldnesses, and that we simply do not need
nor want, and so that would be quite embarrassing for
(02:06):
the sector and for New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
So it's it's a step in the right direction.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
But actually we just need to be coming out and saying, actually,
if the focus is on warming, there's literally nothing to
see here.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
We start already meeting that met zero get a chain
hang on.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
That depends on who you believe when it comes to
the scientific arguments.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Absolutely not though, Jamien, because even actually our anemic academics
last week, while slipping on their prune juice, did come
out and say, actually we should make targets higher to
make it as the world is doing less and it
would be heroic leadership to actually offset any global increase
in methane I eat. You know they were talking about
(02:47):
calling So even even those academics could actually say that
this was never about never about emissions or actually warming,
it was actually about political grandstanding Jamie. So again, if
we focus on warming, we are not adding to warming
at all. And that even before we add in the
nine million hectares of native.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Biodiversity, etc. Of which two point.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Six MILLIONAI dat are on chief and beef farms like
our own ones. So actually we need to have that
conversation and so in terms of heading forward, I certainly
me and my team will still be dedicated to removing
me sane from the Paris Accord. We have to do
there in terms of trying to stop food inflation and
also around that food security, so because people need to
(03:31):
remember every time they complain about carbon forestry, the price
of butter, the price of meat, the price of fresh vegetables,
energy fuel, ear flights, banking compliance, all of these are
symptoms of the greater problem, which is again the Paras Accord.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
And in New Zealand we have this really.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Strange Stockholm syndrome where we have started agreeing, where we
continue to agree with our captives. The very thing that
holds us captive is the Paras Accord and it actually
is very very damaging to pretty much every thing that's
leading to inflation in this country, Jamie. So again we
need to put the grand standing out and actually I
want to be able to focus again on genuine environmental initiatives.
(04:10):
I've said this time and time again, biodiversity, water, sustainable
food production, and this unhinged decision with admissions needs to.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Stop, all right, Who am I to argue with, scary spy?
Are you an Alliance. Two part question here, double barrel.
Are you an Alliance supplier and if so, how did
you vote?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
So we know, yeah, we're not Alliance supply, Jamie, but
I was pleased to see that voter turnout was really
impressive and it was a mandate for change. And I mean, again,
you can have nostalgia around the ownership, but that doesn't
pay the bills. And actually it will be good to
inject some global governance and some other sort of oversight
(04:47):
around not just Alliance, but also the whole entire meat sector.
So we really need more transparency around that. So hopefully
that does bring that, Jamie so well downe to everyone
for voting, regardless of which way they voting.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
An alliance was a totally impure in my mind anyhow.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Cooperative, right, And so that's the thing I've seen many
meat companies in the sector there are that tend to
be a lot more transparent than some of those that
call themselves a cooperative. So hopefully, Jamie, that it's really
woken up shareholders and they're looking for that transparency and
I have no doubt that the entire sector that will
(05:22):
hopefully flow through to the entire sector.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Jamie Okay, you started off by talking about strikes. The
northwester was as much use as a unionist on strike,
I think was your quote. I'm really annoyed about these
strikes and I'm totally behind doctors and nurses. Married to
a teacher, my older sister is a teacher. But really,
why should Palestine be on the top or on the
(05:45):
agenda at all? What are they striking against?
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Exactly, Jamie.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And once again it's unionist, you know, pushing their own
agenda forward. And I think, is there a one hundred
thousand people striking tomorrow? So just top of my head
while I was thinking and the tailing team this morning,
that's probably twenty to fifty million dollars of our economy
at cost of the economy, let alone the cost to
children's learning and witless times, et cetera.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
And again, I know many teachers and some of.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Those in the health care sector that don't necessarily agree
with the way that this has been executed. But there
certainly are some issues, particularly in the health sector. So
again you know these type of things, Jamie, where is
the money going to come from? But also these unionists
need to be less focused on their incomes and more
focus on their outcomes.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
And pull the head. And if they want to be
in politics, Jamie, they should be an MP.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Can we just finish with a quick word on the
late Jim Bulger. I know you've got a nice, sweet
story to tell. We've already heard from Miles Hurrell and
Chris Lux and what's your story.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
I once made him a cup of tea, Jamie. Actually
that's my only claim to fame, and I really enjoy
enjoyed a lot of the quotes of Jim Bulger, particularly
what was one Politicians, no matter who they are, shouldn't
be able to manipulate public on a single issue. And
you know that was absolutely relevant today in terms of
what's happening in parliament particular party Mary.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
But it was a cly damn opening.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
So I was thirteen and my friend Lisa, her mum,
was catering at this and I remember there was absolutely
remember there was protests outside in quite high security for
those days in nineteen ninety four, and Jim and Joan
were there and I made them a cup of tea
and talk to them about farming. And Jim said, at
that point, make sure that you're sticking at farming and
(07:33):
be involved with that sector. Now, remembering ninety four, things
went great in the sector, so I'd always remember that.
And he just seemed like a really a real statesman,
Like yes, Jammie, so you.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Were thirteen and nineteen ninety and doing the maths. That
makes you fifteen and nineteen ninety six when the Spice
Girls exploded onto the world stage, Jane Smith, I can't
believe you weren't a spicy.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
I'm definitely scary Jamie, but not a spice girl.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
See Rup
She is a North Otago farmer who's taken time out
from her busy day. She's been tailing in the wind,
and there's been plenty of wind around the country at
the moment. Her name is Jane Smith. Now Jane. Today's
musical theme is the Spice Girls, And without wanting to
give your age away, I reckon you would be of
an age where you were a bit of a spicy
(00:21):
fan when you were a youngster. Now I'm going to
ask you who your favorite spice girl is. But when
it comes to comparing you to one of the Spice girls,
it's not Baby Spice with the blonde hair. It's Scary Spice.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Well, I think it's probably on point, Jamie. Actually after
this morning's tailing out in the Norwista, and I was
just thinking this morning the Norweista is about as useful
as a unionist on strike, Jamie in terms of absolutely
use it.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
All in it.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
I think we're week five or week six of the
Norwista today.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
So Scary Spicy I'll take that.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
But yeah, spy skills, I certainly though are around in
my era, but I absolutely couldn't stand them. I mean,
nothing worse than a girl band, So no, I don't
like your choice music at all today, Jamie.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Oh, well there you go. I'm a big boy band fan.
So we differ on that one. Look in my absence, Jane,
the methane targets emission targets have been halved, so that
will negate any use for your bunch of merry men
and women the methane Science Accord.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Oh, if I agreed with you, Jamie, we would both
be wrong on that one. In terms of the methane targets, yes,
they're slightly more palatable, but remembering that even the IPCC
have said that the methane the warming effect of methane
has been ovastated by four hundred percent, so we're not
even halfway there. So I mean, the Methane Review Panel
knew that as well, and they also knew that.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
That no reduction is required at all.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
But I guess politically again, it would wouldn't have been
very palatable because not so much around the Paris are
called expectations, but the amount of money that still is
being squandered of taxpayer money on methane reduction pills them
oceans and baldnesses, and that we simply do not need
nor want, and so that would be quite embarrassing for
(02:06):
the sector and for New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
So it's it's a step in the right direction.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
But actually we just need to be coming out and saying, actually,
if the focus is on warming, there's literally nothing to
see here.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
We start already meeting that met zero get a chain
hang on.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
That depends on who you believe when it comes to
the scientific arguments.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Absolutely not though, Jamien, because even actually our anemic academics
last week, while slipping on their prune juice, did come
out and say, actually we should make targets higher to
make it as the world is doing less and it
would be heroic leadership to actually offset any global increase
in methane I eat. You know they were talking about
(02:47):
calling So even even those academics could actually say that
this was never about never about emissions or actually warming,
it was actually about political grandstanding Jamie. So again, if
we focus on warming, we are not adding to warming
at all. And that even before we add in the
nine million hectares of native.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Biodiversity, etc. Of which two point.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Six MILLIONAI dat are on chief and beef farms like
our own ones. So actually we need to have that
conversation and so in terms of heading forward, I certainly
me and my team will still be dedicated to removing
me sane from the Paris Accord. We have to do
there in terms of trying to stop food inflation and
also around that food security, so because people need to
(03:31):
remember every time they complain about carbon forestry, the price
of butter, the price of meat, the price of fresh vegetables,
energy fuel, ear flights, banking compliance, all of these are
symptoms of the greater problem, which is again the Paras Accord.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
And in New Zealand we have this really.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Strange Stockholm syndrome where we have started agreeing, where we
continue to agree with our captives. The very thing that
holds us captive is the Paras Accord and it actually
is very very damaging to pretty much every thing that's
leading to inflation in this country, Jamie. So again we
need to put the grand standing out and actually I
want to be able to focus again on genuine environmental initiatives.
(04:10):
I've said this time and time again, biodiversity, water, sustainable
food production, and this unhinged decision with admissions needs to.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Stop, all right, Who am I to argue with, scary spy?
Are you an Alliance. Two part question here, double barrel.
Are you an Alliance supplier and if so, how did
you vote?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
So we know, yeah, we're not Alliance supply, Jamie, but
I was pleased to see that voter turnout was really
impressive and it was a mandate for change. And I mean, again,
you can have nostalgia around the ownership, but that doesn't
pay the bills. And actually it will be good to
inject some global governance and some other sort of oversight
(04:47):
around not just Alliance, but also the whole entire meat sector.
So we really need more transparency around that. So hopefully
that does bring that, Jamie so well downe to everyone
for voting, regardless of which way they voting.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
An alliance was a totally impure in my mind anyhow.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Cooperative, right, And so that's the thing I've seen many
meat companies in the sector there are that tend to
be a lot more transparent than some of those that
call themselves a cooperative. So hopefully, Jamie, that it's really
woken up shareholders and they're looking for that transparency and
I have no doubt that the entire sector that will
(05:22):
hopefully flow through to the entire sector.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Jamie Okay, you started off by talking about strikes. The
northwester was as much use as a unionist on strike,
I think was your quote. I'm really annoyed about these
strikes and I'm totally behind doctors and nurses. Married to
a teacher, my older sister is a teacher. But really,
why should Palestine be on the top or on the
(05:45):
agenda at all? What are they striking against?
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Exactly, Jamie.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And once again it's unionist, you know, pushing their own
agenda forward. And I think, is there a one hundred
thousand people striking tomorrow? So just top of my head
while I was thinking and the tailing team this morning,
that's probably twenty to fifty million dollars of our economy
at cost of the economy, let alone the cost to
children's learning and witless times, et cetera.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
And again, I know many teachers and some of.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Those in the health care sector that don't necessarily agree
with the way that this has been executed. But there
certainly are some issues, particularly in the health sector. So
again you know these type of things, Jamie, where is
the money going to come from? But also these unionists
need to be less focused on their incomes and more
focus on their outcomes.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
And pull the head. And if they want to be
in politics, Jamie, they should be an MP.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Can we just finish with a quick word on the
late Jim Bulger. I know you've got a nice, sweet
story to tell. We've already heard from Miles Hurrell and
Chris Lux and what's your story.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
I once made him a cup of tea, Jamie. Actually
that's my only claim to fame, and I really enjoy
enjoyed a lot of the quotes of Jim Bulger, particularly
what was one Politicians, no matter who they are, shouldn't
be able to manipulate public on a single issue. And
you know that was absolutely relevant today in terms of
what's happening in parliament particular party Mary.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
But it was a cly damn opening.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
So I was thirteen and my friend Lisa, her mum,
was catering at this and I remember there was absolutely
remember there was protests outside in quite high security for
those days in nineteen ninety four, and Jim and Joan
were there and I made them a cup of tea
and talk to them about farming. And Jim said, at
that point, make sure that you're sticking at farming and
(07:33):
be involved with that sector. Now, remembering ninety four, things
went great in the sector, so I'd always remember that.
And he just seemed like a really a real statesman,
Like yes, Jammie, so you.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Were thirteen and nineteen ninety and doing the maths. That
makes you fifteen and nineteen ninety six when the Spice
Girls exploded onto the world stage, Jane Smith, I can't
believe you weren't a spicy.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
I'm definitely scary Jamie, but not a spice girl.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
See Rup
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