What’s working and what’s not? feat. Bruce Wills & Mike Petersen

As the conversation has evolved since the launch of the The Common Ground report in late 2024, we asked two past leaders about what worked before, what is (and isn’t) fit for purpose now and how we collaborate and build trust from here. 

This episode, hosted by agricultural journalist Sarah Perriam-Lampp features former Beef + Lamb NZ chair, Mike Petersen and former Federated Farmers president. 

"There is a lot more that binds us than divides us and to build collaboration on a handful of the big issues you need to get people together at leadership level to get the buy-in" explains Mike Petersen.

What’s discussed?

• Does the Commodities Levies Act need reform and what is the best model to enable farmers to invest in their future?
• The importance of directing our efforts towards the commercial sector rather than the government to fix our problems.
• Bruce’s experience with the challenges and opportunities of establishing industry good organisations.
• They believe that there has been many changes to how we collaborate better, build collective voices and acknowledge the good work that has and is being done.
• What type of collaboration do we need? Mike believes that we need more vertically integrated commercial collaboration (focussed on connecting to our customers) instead of pan-sector collaboration across our industry.
• How industry chairs & CEO’s are increasingly coming together to talk about the big issues – in order to build trust and respect amongst themselves.
• The unhelpful swings in government and our tendency as a sector to run to government with all our problems - instead of bringing them a cohesive vision and clear asks on how they can enable it.

To read the report “Are industry good bodies good for industry?” and provide your ideas and participate in the conversation, visit www.thecommonground.org.nz

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