March 26, 2025 • 36 mins
Jamie Mackay talks to Katie Milne, Chris Hipkins, Myfanwy Alexander, Andrew Hoggard, and Chris Russell.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mckue. Thanks to Brent. You're specialist in
John Deere Machinery.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
At Gooday, New Zealand and welcome to the Country. I'm
Jamie McKay. This is John Too Good and she Hardes
wouldn't be my choice of music, but you know, music's
very subjective. Henry Ackland there, guy for four Fonterras, sitting
in on the show today music courtesy of Henry. Will
catch up with him a week bit later in the hour,
(00:51):
but we're bringing you some of the action today from
day two of the South Island I was going to
say South Island Air Event. I'm going to be talking
about that a wee bit later in the show. South
Island Field days of course at Kurwee. Katie Miln's there,
Chris Hopkins is there, Andrew Hoggard's there. We're going to
be chatting to all those people. We're going to talk
about that South Island Dairy event with Mvanui Alexander the
(01:15):
co chair it's happening in Timaru on April to April
seven to nine, and Chris Russell's Rossie correspondent. They've had
their budget. What isn't it for agg But let's get
straight into it. We're heading to Kurwee, just west of
christ Church, day two of the South Island Field Days.
Katie Milne, former president of Federated Farmers West Coast, kow
(01:36):
Koke Weather in track conditions. Good afternoon, Katie.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Afternoon Jamie Weather in track conditions. Fabulous autumn day here,
light breeze, sun are still shining to drive a chip
under green? So what could be better? And everybody, it
looks like, from Southland, West Coast and Canterbury is here.
It's building up the numbers and of course day too,
plenty of farmers here. It's not the town his day yet,
(02:02):
but the smell of the food cooking being lunchtime is
absolutely phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Well the bloke who what did he succeeded? You didn't
he as president of Federated Farmers, Andrew Hoggard's going to
be on the show today. I'll bet you he'll be
licking his lips. He's never stepped away from a decent
feed in his life.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I've seen him mat in the middle letters lately?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Is he shredding?
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Is he Wellington? That John Wellington's a bit tough on you,
but I know he still enjoys protein the most, so yeah,
he'll be into it.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yeah, Okay, we're going to chat to Andrew a week
bit later in the hour. So what are you there for?
What are you looking for?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Are you?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Are you in the market to buy anything for your
dairy farm on the West Coast.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
I'm actually here just to have a look and feel
the pulse of the nation as in the rural rural
side of things. I've been coming to these for years, obviously,
and it's just a great place to see what the
ViBe's like and how we're all feeling, and I must
say it's pretty good. I haven't actually come to deliberately
buy anything, although I've got a little bag that's half
full already, as you do. But no, really also interested
(03:07):
to see. There's a bit of a push to show
them the people around the country what the West Coast
farming look like looks like as well, and they are
putting the farms up that are available on the coast
at the moment. While dairy's looking good and the outlook
for rural New Zealand is great, it's a good time
to promote the coast because we always get forgotten about
as one of those little gym corners of farming New
(03:30):
Zealand that people should put on their radar if we're
thinking about branching out and moving up from sheer milking
or contract milking and one a bit of land.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Well, Katie, I'm told if you really want to make
some serious money dairy farming, you need to buy a
dairy farm on the West coast because the yields are
much better there. Henry Ackland sitting in the studio mightn't
like that because Fonterra, Well it does Fonterra have anywhere
on the coast, No, you don't. It's Westland milk. So
I know tankers do go over the Alps. But a
(03:58):
good place to get a good return on your investment.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Yeah, and that's the key.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
You know.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
The price of land in other parts of the country
is way more expensive on the coast, and there is
a bit of a discount because of where it is
and because you've got the guaranteed good rainfall and all
those things.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Let's go with that.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
But it's actually not far from lights of christ Etch,
et cetera. So it is a great place. And my
accountant always used to say, and I think Tony Alexander
would say, and people like that Peter Alexander, they say,
if you want a good return on your investment, Northland
and the West Coast are still great places to buy
and always have been because you can actually make money
out of the farm as you as you go. I
(04:37):
mean there was a glitch in the middle there for
a while for dairy, but it is a fabulous place
to farm. So that's a plug for the coast from
me today.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
I know that Fonterra is doing their road shows. That's
why Henry Ackland is in the studio. Myles Hurrell I
think is in Picago tonight. Henry yep, he's a in
Picago tonight and he's getting a pretty good reception from
the Fonterra punters. We heard from Open Country Dairy a
wee bit earlier in the week. They're going strongly well
(05:05):
well as well. What about Westland.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Milk, Oh, look, it's growing really really well. They did
a lot of the investment that was already in the
capital plan for the future that you know, quite frankly,
we couldn't afford to do as just a farm our
own co op, how fast we wanted to go. They've
done all that, so it's got lots of new kits
as in the factory, and everyone is really buoyant. They're
(05:28):
sticking to all the agreements they made and extending a
lot of those is and how our guaranteed payout will
look in the future. Ten cents above farm gate milk
price for Fonterra, so what's not to like. And it's
a great employer and all those things as well for
the coast. But it is when gold price is where
it is, you've got gold and milk grown through the
(05:48):
veins of the coast and long mate last, it's very
important for us over here on the coast, well here today,
but it's just the dual and end all for farming
actually for the coast is still lies.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
And okay, have you spotted any celebrities at the South
Island field days, because as Chris Hipkins a celebrity in
your mind, he's coming up next on the show.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Well he's not the biggest celebrity in my mind of course,
but yeah, no, I haven't run into him yet, and
I'm going to go and track down the hoggarden and
haven't we chat to him too? But first of all,
I'm going to go and have a piece of beautiful
lamb actually, but it's just driving me crazy, cooking right
beside me at a barbecue. Team.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Oh, don't hold mister Hoggart up when he's meant to
be speaking to me. Hopefully I'll get him before he
starts eating some of that lettuce, Katie Melon, thanks for
your time, all good Jamie, have a good day there
we go. Katie Milon on the ground. Great weather in
Canterbury today for day two of the South Island Field Days,
raining in duned and I hope that wet weather can
hold off a wee bit longer although someplace. In fact,
(06:48):
I hope it shoots straight through Canterbury and heads up
to the North Island where it's needed up next. Chris
Sipkins on the country. Is Winston really looking more like
an angry old man shouting at the sky. We'll ask
the Leader of the Opposition, Okay, welcome back to the country.
(07:17):
I thought I'd missed him, but I've just got him.
I do appreciate the time of the Leader of the Opposition,
Chris Hipkins. He's everyone's at kerw Wee today at the
South Island Field Days. You've just heard from Katie Milne,
a leader of the opposition Labor Party leader. Hey, Chris,
what sort of reception you're getting from the farmers there?
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Oh? Very good actually, And when they thought that you
were ringing the guy that said that I should just
snare you and keep talking to them, you know.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Oh yeah, well there was that time, young, is it?
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah, tell time to barger off from me. But anyhow,
I'm glad you're enjoying, no doubt you'll be enjoying some
of those wonderful weed lamb lollipops. You're having a we
lamb rack for lunch.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Well, I hope. So we haven't quite made. We haven't
made of that faring, but I've heard promises, so I'm
hoping that they'll deliver. Now.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
I'm going to be chatting to Andrew Hoggard shortly. A
lot of politicians at kerw Wee today and they tell
me Andrew's shredding. He's eating the lettuce at the moment,
And after hearing Winston's diet yesterday or reading about it
in the Herald, I wonder if that's making him look
like an angry old man shouting at the sky.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
Chrisshipkins well, I think we just maybe we should start
calling Winston Popeye. Yeah, I think good on them. I
think protein and vegies. It sounds like a reasonable diet.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
To be Yeah, well he's got a cast iron constitution.
I'll give him that, mind you, before we get onto
the serious issues of the day. You're a great sausage
roll man, and you're a reasonably trim sort of bloke.
How do you keep your waistline at bay and your job?
Because it's not an easy job.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
No, I have did put on quite a bit of
weight over the last couple of years, but I still
try and exercise, glean pee so if I can get
out for a decent walk, get out on the bike,
even get to the gym, just does make a difference.
And also I try try not to eat while standing up,
so basically, if you keep it to your three meals
a day rather than just snacking as you're going around
all the time. Because one of the things about being
(09:11):
a politician is you get off of food everywhere you go.
It's a nice problem to have, but if you're not careful,
you do put on a lot of weight.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Now, talking about food, I was in Wellington for National
LAMB day for the Parliamentary barbecue, and we went into
the house at question time. After that, there was sort
of a snap debate with David Seymour on the school
lunch a debarcle if you want, And I saw you,
and I will say this, and I'm not paying in
your pocket here, but I reckon, you're better in the
house than you are on Telly.
Speaker 6 (09:41):
Oh, thank you.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
I don't I don't know. I don't know whether that's
a compliment or not, Jamie, but I'll take it.
Speaker 7 (09:46):
As a compliment.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yeah, Well, you were very quick on your feet as
a debater. Do you need to show some more of
that on the Telly?
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Well, you reckon. Well, the problem is we don't get
to we don't get to determine what bits of what
we say you end up on the t All the
other people make those decisions, unfortunately, but you know, we
just keep plugging away.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Now, let's look at a couple of issues. There's been
changes or proposed changes to the r m A, and
quite rightly you're saying that we need bipartisan support and
we need to get some sort of agreement on it.
Is that likely to happen?
Speaker 4 (10:22):
I don't know, it'll really come down to the government
and whether they're willing to look for a compromise. What
I've said to them is that we accept that we're
not going to get everything that we want out of this.
But I think, you know, New Zealanders and across the
political spectrum are getting a bit weary, were more than
a bit weary of the political ping pong where governments
change and everything just gets thrown up in.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
The air again.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
So on issues around resource management, we all agree that
it needs to change. We all agree that things are
too slow, too cumbersome, and actually, you know, the resource
management and agium at the moment isn't actually necessarily doing
what it's supposed to do, which is to allow the
use of natural resources while protecting the environment. So you know,
I think we all need to we all agree there
needs to be changed. Now. We've got some things that
(11:05):
we want to see represented in that, the government have
things that they want to see represented in that. If
we can find some common ground and some compromise, then
you know, I'd love to be in a position at
the next election where we say, look, we didn't get
everything we want, but we're not going to change it
any further because you know, I think people just deserve
a period of a bit of certainty.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
But is it way too complex? And I know that
you guys had a go at reforming at nine hundred
pages later David Parker had finished, can't we simplify it?
Speaker 4 (11:34):
Well? I think that's the issue is sometimes actually the
longer the legislation, the more straightforward it is. Some of
the most complicated legislation or laws you know that Parliament
passes at the short ones where you leave a lot
of a lot of questions unanswered, and the courts end
up determining a lot of stuff, and local councils end
up determining a lot of stuff, and people end up
trying to figure It's been a lot of time trying
to figure out what the law actually means. So I
(11:56):
don't want to set a page limit for it, because
actually sometimes being a bit more detailed gives people more
certainty and actually makes a little easier to follow.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Hey, a final question for you, do you think you
were technically naive or got it wrong? Dismissing Winston an
angry old man shouting at the sky, because I kind
of reckon he was your only pathway if that at
all was possible to the Treasury benches because I think
people can live with Labor. I don't think they can
live with the Greens or the Party Mari, and I'm
(12:27):
talking about Middle New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Here, Oh, a lot of water to flow under the
bridge before that those things come into contention, that'll be
that's a decision for further down the track, you know,
later on next year. But you know, Winston beaters have
a flick at us, We'll have a flicker back it. It
just has had, you know, that's the nature of politics.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
But I was pleased to see you come out and
slam Tamitha Paul, the Green MPUs going on about doesn't
want to see cops on the beat, doesn't want prisons,
another Green saying people would feel with a patched gang
member than police. This is just utter nonsense. How can
you governm with people like that?
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Well, I mean, I think the key thing here is
that I am willing to call out the other parties
who we might otherwise sometimes work with when they do
things that are stupid. And I think that actually is
a difference between myself and Christopher Luxen, who basically lets
David Seymoura and Winston Peters just get away with all
sorts of craziness. I actually think he We've got a
gupfull of that. I think, you know, they actually want
(13:29):
to see the bigger political parties who actually get the
most votes are the ones who are actually calling most
of the shots. I think. Except that compromises needed any
MMP from time to time, that doesn't mean that Winston
Peter's and David seen Wan should be able to hold
the country to ransom.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Christopher Christopher, Jeez, I'm getting confused. I better call you, Chris.
I'll just go with Chris hip cans the other blogs. Christopher, Hey,
thanks for your time. You go and enjoy some of
those lamb lollipops at a fco for your lunch.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
I will do a dad. I was going to say, Jamie,
the only person who calls me Christopher is my mother,
and that's when it's only I'm in trouble.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Oh, well maybe maybe that's a metaphor for our current
prime minister. Well yes, no, I left the door open
for you there and listen. Thanks for your time, and
good on you for fronting up at the Field Days
and having a look at how rural New Zealand operates.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
Good, Jamie.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Okay, there we go. Leader of the opposition, Labor Leader
Chris Hopkins, and I do mean what I said about
when he was debating in the house, sharp on his feet.
I'll give him that, even if I don't necessarily agree
with his politics. But anyhow, that's why we all get
one vote each, although some parties would like to change
that as well. Up next, this is this is my
(14:41):
favorite name, Mvanui Alexander. She's a North Otago dairy farmer.
She's the event co chair of the South Island Dairy event.
We've been talking about the South Island Field Days or
the South Islandairy Events being held in Timaru on April
seven to nine. We're going to tell you how you
can get along to that. Next, on the country, we
(15:14):
chat to some interesting people here on the country, some
of them with very interesting names. But I'll tell you what,
this takes a bit of beating. I love chatting to her,
Mvanwie Alexander. And if you're wondering where that name came from. Mcvanwie,
I think it came from Wales.
Speaker 8 (15:30):
It does.
Speaker 9 (15:30):
Indeed, Jamie, I've been here seventeen almost eighteen years now,
but yes, still proudly.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Welsh, even if it is a very bad year to
be a Welsh.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Rugby supporter, Yes it is. Indeed, you can't buy a break,
can you? For your rugby team? Never mind you for
your sins. Are the co chair of the South Island
Airy Event. We've been talking today about the South Island
Field Days at kerwe Well we're going to go down
the road awebit and up the road a weebit from
you because you're based in North Otago, but it's Timaru
(15:59):
April seven to nine, the South Island Airy Event. Looking
forward to going along a bit of professional development for me.
Why the move from June as it was last year
to April.
Speaker 9 (16:10):
Yeah, well Jamie, we just decided it was time to
maybe make a bit of a shift. So we sort
of started to slowly see it downward trend in farmer attendants.
And that's not what this is about. This is not
an event for rural professionals. Great if they want to
come along, but it's all about the farmers. It's farmers
talking to farmers, it's sharing the information and getting better
and incremental gains through knowledge sharing. So basically we worked
(16:36):
out that this time of year that we had wasn't working.
You've got things like new staff coming on farm that
you're training, You've got chas on crop, and we all
know how stressful it can be to lease kas on crop,
especially if you have a bad weather day and with
a new staff added into that. And then there's also
the fact that people actually might want a holiday and
we break while the cars are dry, Jamien. So yeah,
we decided let's move to April. Let's make this sit
(16:58):
in hopefully a lot better to people's farming calendars and
has a slightly less hectic time of year.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Okay, what's going to tempt the punters along to tomorrow.
Speaker 9 (17:07):
We've got some awesome speakers, Jamie, just to start off with.
So we have Emma Twigg, our amazing Olympic rower opening
the day on the eighth. We've got Cameron Bagriy doing
a fabulous breakfast on the morning of the nights, and
we have doctor Ellen Ford and Sam Owen talking to
us as well. Doctor Ellen talks a lot about you know,
(17:29):
people and how we can make the most of our
teams and looking outside the box for employment solutions. And
Sam Owen, well you'll know him well, Jamie. He's a
great character, a long history with the Rural Support Trust.
He's a farmer himself and now a teacher at Madamada College.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Well he's come from the wrong side of the hemisphere
as well. He's a bit like you.
Speaker 9 (17:50):
Yeah, absolutely not a biased peck at all, but yes, no,
Sam's a great fella and he's got a really really
energetic and entertaining talk. Come at us.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
The website is obviously well just google South Island Airy Event.
You'll get there. How do you register? How much does
it cost you to go along?
Speaker 9 (18:08):
Yeah, well there's a whole load of different options and costs.
Why so head along to the website. The registration that
pops up the moment you arrive, so it's really easy,
you can't miss it, and then head along and select
what you want to come to and the cost will
go from there. So we've got everything we've got. Come
along to the field day, which is half day on
the seventh of April. We're going to a poor dam
(18:30):
and going to learn a lot about their irrigation scheme
and everything's going then the challenges and opportunities coming up
for them in the next few years. And then we're
heading to the port then we've got day one of
the event proper, so that's on the eighth, and then
we've got a dinner on the evening of the eighth
which will.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
Be great fun.
Speaker 9 (18:47):
Country comes to Towan.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Grab your boots.
Speaker 9 (18:49):
And jeans and you check shirt and come have a
good party. We've got a great band for that. And
then Wednesday the nights as well for the final day,
so there's plenty going on. And then of course the break.
This is Cam Baggery on the morning of the Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Yeah, he's very good. We'll be chatting to him next week.
On the Country. You are a North Otago dairy farmer.
How's the season treating you well?
Speaker 9 (19:09):
Jamie? I feel a bit guilty saying this, but we're
in a really good year.
Speaker 6 (19:14):
It's been.
Speaker 9 (19:14):
It just seems to rain just when we need it
and the grass is growing, but we all know it
goes and swings and roundabouts. From last year was particularly
hard up this top end of the way Tacky Valley,
so we're very grateful and not taking it for granted
having a nice season this season.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
There we go. My favorite name on the Country mvan
we Alexander, co chair of the South Island Dairy Event,
go online and register. It is happening in Timaru April
seventh to nine. We'll look forward to seeing you there.
Speaker 9 (19:42):
Thanks Jemie, I'll see you there.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Looking forward to it. Right, it is twenty nine away
from one. You are with the country. Some feedback on
Chris Hipkins. I knew this would happen. Hipkins defending nine
hundred plus RIMA legislation pages on the ground of clarity.
What bs writes Don and Kevin says, what planet has
(20:05):
this guy been living on? He's tone death to middle
of New Zealand. But good on him for fronting up
at the Field Days. I'm sure he's not being mobbed.
I wouldn't have thought by the farmers there, but at
least he's turned up and Joe Luxton there also representing labor.
But talking about the South Island Field Days, I think
(20:26):
we might go. We might have to go to We
might have to go to Andrew Hoggard next, because I
think he's got a lunch appointment with some lettuce, so
I might go to Andrew Hoggard next. We'll get Michellen
to do rural news as special sports news reader. As
Henry Ackland pr guy for Fonterra and our Rossie correspondent
(20:49):
is Chris Russell all that before the end of the hour. Yeah,
from Sheehad to the pet shop boys. We're playing all
(21:11):
the heavy rockers today on the country. Is this man
a heavy rocker? Or is he shredding on lettuce for
lunch at the South Island field days? Andrew Hoggard, your predecessor,
Katie Meln said, you're on a letus.
Speaker 6 (21:25):
Died, Andrew, not that I've seen recently.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Have you seen Chippy? Are you anywhere near the f
coat site? I think he's having Lamb chops for lunch.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
No, I've got Lamb shops there. I'll head around there shortly. Actually, no,
I've been on our site and yeah, we'll go for
lunch soon.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
Now.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
Talking about Chippy, he did come out where is this here?
It is here, so he said. Every day Winston looks
more and more like an angry old man shouting at
the sky. Because there was talk a few weeks ago
in the media, probably a bit of a beat up,
that Chippy was looking to woo New Zealand first over
and if he got Winston he could get past a
(22:06):
post because God help us, literally, Andrew hogguard of Chippy
wins and he's in with Tamotha Paul and rahwary wy Tea.
I mean they're nut jobs.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (22:19):
Well, I mean we heard all the stuff on defund
the police and stuff in Parliament yesterday, along with the
last couple of days from the Greens talking about how
terrible it is to make a profit. And I've got
no idea where you know, well, no, I do have
an idea where they get their economic ideas from North
Korea and Soviet Russia. But yeah, it's crazy stuff. And
(22:43):
you know, we can't leave these guys near leavers of
Parrot or it would absolutely destroy this country.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
I absolutely agree with you right now. What are the
big issues? Because you're mixing these are a great opportunity
for you to network at the coal face with farmers.
I see talking about Winston again. He says, why are
we making a rod for our own backs being part
of the Paris Accord, punishing our farmers and our taxpayers
and our economy when China or the US could sneeze
(23:09):
and produce more CO two overnight than we do in
a year. So we know when New Zealand first stands,
where does the Act Party stand on the Paris Accord.
Speaker 6 (23:19):
Well, actually, well, David said something very similar to you
a month and a bit back. I believe, you know,
were the reality is the world's changing. We've got to
constantly re evaluate where we stand and what's in our
best interests. So you know, at the moment, well, maybe
it is, maybe it isn't, but that's something we need
to reevaluate. Obviously at the moment, we're in a coalition
(23:41):
and this is the deal we're operating under. But you know,
for us, and I've always thought, you know, the problem
with the Paris Accord is they've got the sentence in
there around what is it, you know, lower emissions whilst
maintaining food production, and it's only ever been paid lip
service to. And actually, you know, I think New Zealand
should be leading the charge on what does that actually
(24:02):
look like because when you think about that sentence, it
means about efficiency and that is what New Zealand does
so well, one of the most efficient producers of food
in the world. And you know the world needs more
and more food, not less and less, so and that
means we need to you know, if you want to
follow through with the Paris Accord, we need to be
producing more food where it can be done more efficiently,
(24:23):
and that's New Zealand. So we need a system that
recognizes New Zealand's interests.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
I'd vote for that, Andrew Haggard. Now, so what are
the other What are the other That doesn't mean I'm
voting act of course, what are the other topics the
farmers are talking to you about?
Speaker 6 (24:39):
Obviously with the announcement around resource management the other day,
that's a big topic of interest here particularly you know
a lot of the challenges they have in Canterbury. So
I've been talking to a few people around what's what's
in the works, what may be changing, how will things
be better? And so it's, yeah, a real key topic.
And I think you know, we've for so long in
(24:59):
this country being held back by the rim A and
basically a culture of saying no and systems that are
just in place that just costs so much to move
forward on anything. And the whole purpose of reform is
to try and get stuff done, and it's going to
be so important to enabling this country to be the
(25:19):
best little place in the world, which is where we
should be.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Absolutely all right, Andrew, thanks for some of your time.
I'll let you go and have some lunch. That's the thing,
the really big thing about field days. You can always
find somewhere to have lunch. And I'm a bit biased
because I always end up making paying a visit to
AFCO at Mystery Creek. I think they do the best
lunch at Mystery Creek. So maybe maybe head along there
(25:44):
and the chippy's left some chops. You fill your chops
well do Okay, See you later, Andrew Hogard, see Darie
there is Minister of Associate ad Minister and Minister of
bar Security. Didn't get time to talk about that, but
up next we're going to take a break, better late
than never. Rural News with Michelle. Sports News with our
(26:06):
special sports guest, sports newsreader Henry Ackland from Fonterra. Before
the end of the hour, our guy across the Ditch,
Chris Russell, Welcome back to the country. Sixteen away from one.
(26:31):
While that wraps all the action from the South Island
field days. Remember if you want to go to the
South Island Airy event in Timaru April seven to nine,
just google it. Registrations are open. Here's Michelle with the
latest and rural news.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
The country's world news with cub Cadet, New Zealand's leading
right on lawn Bower brand visit Steelford dot Cott z
for your locals Dargist.
Speaker 8 (26:58):
The Balance Farm Environment Awards were in the Greater Wellington
Region last night, where the fourth Supreme Regional winners were
announced Mark and Susannah Guscott of glenn Eden Farms and Ponatah.
He took out the overall win for the region. The
judges commended Susannah and Mark for their outstanding ability to
farm in harmony with the environment, people and animals. The
next Regional Regional Awards will take place on the second
(27:21):
of April and the.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
White case, Oh I think I know Mark Guscott, don't I.
Speaker 8 (27:24):
I don't know what you're asking me that.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
I congratulations Mark if I do know you, and commiserations
for you if you don't know me. No, that's just
being smart, Okay. So that's Michelle. Is that it rural
news right here? He is. This is what we do
when we get visitors in the studio. We get them
to read the sports news, but normally we don't let
them pre read it. Michelle's forgotten about that, so she's
(27:49):
given it to Henry Ackland Fonterra's PR guy for the
for the sports news. We'll see how he goes.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Sports where the af go key, we to bone. Since
nineteen oh.
Speaker 7 (28:01):
Four, the World Cricketers Association has issued a bold gambit
to reshape the sports annual calendar, the player's arm of
the Game tam the game needs in an international window
from twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Formerly Well, it's a pretty crappy read, but you've got
a great voice, if you don't mind me saying so,
kick a little bit closer to that, Mike away you go.
Speaker 7 (28:27):
Former Crusader's assistant Andrew Goodman has been appointed to the
British and Irish Lines staff as a back specialist.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
And is that sports near Well, I'm Henry Ackland from
fan Sarah. I like that. I like it. I think
we can do something with you. Okay, up next? What
are we doing up next? We've got now?
Speaker 8 (28:51):
Is he correspondent?
Speaker 2 (28:52):
Yeah, he'll he'll come after the break and then we'll
wrap the show with Henry after Chris.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Aussie update with Ecolab, solid range, solid products, solid partnership,
solid results.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Our guy across the ditch is Chris Russell. Let's see
what's happening in the Lucky Country or is it the
Lucky country? Chris. You've got no duck hunting season in
Victoria because of bird flu. This is the story we
alluded to last week.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
Yeah, well we have. It's only certain parts of Victoria
which where restrictions have been brought in dues of an
outbreak of this eight seven strain of bird flu. It's
not the horrible H five N one one, but nonetheless
the destructive disease has been found on four properties near Euroa,
and there's six hundred thousand birds have been culled and
(29:52):
all sorts of bands are moving to birds. And one
of the side issues is that they've put restrictions on
the duck hunting system, which which started starts this Wednesday
and runs until June the ninth, So that's certainly a
bit of an issue. Of course, all the duck hunters
are saying it's conspiracy theory to get rid of duck
hunting in the whole of Victoria and all that sort
(30:14):
of thing, which I don't think there's any sign that
that's the case. But you know this, it's a real
worry this bird floor I see in the UK they've
just discovered the first example of H five N one,
which is the really nasty one being found in a sheep.
So we've suddenly had a big biosecurity warning here because
(30:36):
that happened here. That's really going to be a real
worry and the exciteds have certainly called for more investment
the safeguard sheep industry, which is currently worth about five
billion dollars a year.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
Now.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
We often accuse you Australians of a bit of inbreeding,
but in the case of your most expensive working dog,
it's true.
Speaker 5 (30:56):
Yes, well you know it's a lot of money to
pay for for a dog. Forty thousand dollars for this
female border Collie called Liz. Do you get that Muster
Dog series in New Zealand jomieh.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Not that I know, but that's not to say we
don't have it about anyhow.
Speaker 5 (31:14):
Carry on, it's an amazing series. Here theft of the
third series here. The first one featured Bought a Collie,
second one Kelvi's. This third one has been Kelby's versus
Bought a Collie's based on pups that are given out
to people and they monitor over twelve months to see
which one more quickly becomes a good working dog, and
the guy who won the first series has actually bred
(31:37):
these dogs using this Liz, which he paid forty thousand
dollars for and he bought the half brother as well,
whose name was Sid, for thirty three thousand. Now apparently
it is quite common. I wasn't aware of this to
breed within families like that so that they could actually
really concentrate the genes. So they've just had nine pups.
(32:01):
So it looks like you get his money back pretty quickly,
and she has hardly done any work yet. So since
he gets his money back, I suppose you'll be out
to work and we'll be interesting to see how she
does in terms of how those pups do in terms
of putting them on the market.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Jamie Chris, I remember you and I going to the
first ever event at the new Olympics Stadium in Sydney
back in the late nineties early two thousand. We saw
the Beg's one of the best concert I've ever seen,
just before the Sydney Olympics. Well, you've got the Olympics
again in Australia in Brisbane in twenty thirty two. It's
(32:36):
on my bucket list to go to the Olympics am
I going to be sitting in a very flash new
stadium or stadia?
Speaker 5 (32:43):
Well, and this has been the big question. I mean
they got effectively eleven years notice of this and they've
garicaded how are we going to do it? What stadio
are we going to have? Of course they're very strict
what you need to do if you're going to run Olympics.
They just announced this week with the sort of statutory
seven year in a MI, so they've wasted a few
of their notice years that what they're going to do.
(33:05):
And the new Olympics stadium is going to hit total
in cost it sounds like about five billion dollars. Now
three billion of that is the stadium itself, but they've
also got to put a whole lot of public transport
infrastructure to actually get the people the last kilometer across
to the stadium from where the where all the transport finishes.
(33:25):
At the moment, the stadium is going to be sixty
three thousand seats. The one that we had in Sydney,
remember was one hundred thousand seats when it was originally built.
And then they knocked the back on the top off
the two stands at each end to bring it down
to eighty five thousand after that, so it'll be a
tremendous thing to have in Brisbane, no doubt about that.
They're also building a new aqu aqua stadium or a
(33:46):
swimming stadium and all this will be finished in time.
So everyone's sort of saying, Sydney greatest Olympics ever. Can
we do the same thing again at Brisbane. Well, they're
going to put their money where their mouth is. Christoph Fooley,
the Premier, says it's going to be probably a break
even Olympics. Well they all say that. I've yet to
see one where that actually happens. But what it does
(34:07):
for the country and the state. I still think that
Olympics in Sydney was the best I've ever seen Sydney.
Everyone talking to each other, just a wonderful time.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
So that leaves the issue of just paying for it,
and on that note, very quickly to finish. Chris Russell,
you've just had your budget. Anything in it for agriculture, yeah,
very little.
Speaker 5 (34:25):
There's money which is good for biosecurity, that's a key issue.
But in terms of infrastructure for the bush, you know,
fixing up the potholes and the roads and better rail
and so on virtually nothing. Twelve million worker is going
to get a tax break of two hundred and thirty
six dollars after twenty twenty five twenty six, but you know,
(34:49):
really that's it. So it's been a pretty ordinary budget,
not one we're expecting, and I hopefully will help mister
Dutton a little bit because we really need some change
here in Australia.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
Hey, good on you, Chris Russell. Will catch you again,
same time, same place next week.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
Look forward to a Jamie.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
Thanks Chris wrapping the country. He's made a special visit
down to see us in Dunedin. PR guy for Fonterra.
Henry Ackland from the famous Ackland farming family. Henry, what
relation are you to Kate by the way, Chair of
Beeth and Lamb, New Zealand.
Speaker 7 (35:21):
Yeah, yeah, David is my cousin who's married to Kate.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
Right, very well. Haven't you got a prime minister somewhere
in the deep dark past of your family?
Speaker 7 (35:30):
No?
Speaker 4 (35:30):
No, I don't think so.
Speaker 7 (35:31):
Not a prime minister.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
Oh okay, anyhow well to do good farming family. This
is Jordan Luck and the Exponents. Now Geraldine, you wanted
a Geraldine band? I went to Lincoln with the bloke,
and his claim to fame was that the Exponents or
dance exponents as they were in those days, their first
ever gig was at his older brother's twenty first I'm
(35:53):
not sure whether that's true or not, but it's a
good story. But what a great story behind the exponents.
Speaker 7 (35:59):
Yeah, no, a bit Jordan and he's a great guy.
Speaker 2 (36:03):
Well, he is a great guy. He's a bit of
an icon. He doesn't drink anymore. Is that right yet?
Speaker 5 (36:07):
No?
Speaker 7 (36:07):
I think he's off the booze.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
Well there you go. Rock and roll can be a
hard life. Yeah, yeah, okay, Henry, listen, thank you for
coming in. I really appreciate it. And I know you're
on the road shows, the Fonterra road shows, I think
finish and in the cargo tonight, Miles Hurrell no doubt
getting a pretty good reception, i'd think from the farmer shareholders.
That wraps the country for today. We'll be back again
(36:32):
at the same time, same place tomorrow. We'll leave you
with Jordan Luck. I don't know.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
Catch you're the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mcguy. Thanks to Brent, You're specialist in
John dere construction equipment,
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mckue. Thanks to Brent. You're specialist in
John Deere Machinery.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
At Gooday, New Zealand and welcome to the Country. I'm
Jamie McKay. This is John Too Good and she Hardes
wouldn't be my choice of music, but you know, music's
very subjective. Henry Ackland there, guy for four Fonterras, sitting
in on the show today music courtesy of Henry. Will
catch up with him a week bit later in the hour,
(00:51):
but we're bringing you some of the action today from
day two of the South Island I was going to
say South Island Air Event. I'm going to be talking
about that a wee bit later in the show. South
Island Field days of course at Kurwee. Katie Miln's there,
Chris Hopkins is there, Andrew Hoggard's there. We're going to
be chatting to all those people. We're going to talk
about that South Island Dairy event with Mvanui Alexander the
(01:15):
co chair it's happening in Timaru on April to April
seven to nine, and Chris Russell's Rossie correspondent. They've had
their budget. What isn't it for agg But let's get
straight into it. We're heading to Kurwee, just west of
christ Church, day two of the South Island Field Days.
Katie Milne, former president of Federated Farmers West Coast, kow
(01:36):
Koke Weather in track conditions. Good afternoon, Katie.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Afternoon Jamie Weather in track conditions. Fabulous autumn day here,
light breeze, sun are still shining to drive a chip
under green? So what could be better? And everybody, it
looks like, from Southland, West Coast and Canterbury is here.
It's building up the numbers and of course day too,
plenty of farmers here. It's not the town his day yet,
(02:02):
but the smell of the food cooking being lunchtime is
absolutely phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Well the bloke who what did he succeeded? You didn't
he as president of Federated Farmers, Andrew Hoggard's going to
be on the show today. I'll bet you he'll be
licking his lips. He's never stepped away from a decent
feed in his life.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I've seen him mat in the middle letters lately?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Is he shredding?
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Is he Wellington? That John Wellington's a bit tough on you,
but I know he still enjoys protein the most, so yeah,
he'll be into it.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yeah, Okay, we're going to chat to Andrew a week
bit later in the hour. So what are you there for?
What are you looking for?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Are you?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Are you in the market to buy anything for your
dairy farm on the West Coast.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
I'm actually here just to have a look and feel
the pulse of the nation as in the rural rural
side of things. I've been coming to these for years, obviously,
and it's just a great place to see what the
ViBe's like and how we're all feeling, and I must
say it's pretty good. I haven't actually come to deliberately
buy anything, although I've got a little bag that's half
full already, as you do. But no, really also interested
(03:07):
to see. There's a bit of a push to show
them the people around the country what the West Coast
farming look like looks like as well, and they are
putting the farms up that are available on the coast
at the moment. While dairy's looking good and the outlook
for rural New Zealand is great, it's a good time
to promote the coast because we always get forgotten about
as one of those little gym corners of farming New
(03:30):
Zealand that people should put on their radar if we're
thinking about branching out and moving up from sheer milking
or contract milking and one a bit of land.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Well, Katie, I'm told if you really want to make
some serious money dairy farming, you need to buy a
dairy farm on the West coast because the yields are
much better there. Henry Ackland sitting in the studio mightn't
like that because Fonterra, Well it does Fonterra have anywhere
on the coast, No, you don't. It's Westland milk. So
I know tankers do go over the Alps. But a
(03:58):
good place to get a good return on your investment.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Yeah, and that's the key.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
You know.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
The price of land in other parts of the country
is way more expensive on the coast, and there is
a bit of a discount because of where it is
and because you've got the guaranteed good rainfall and all
those things.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Let's go with that.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
But it's actually not far from lights of christ Etch,
et cetera. So it is a great place. And my
accountant always used to say, and I think Tony Alexander
would say, and people like that Peter Alexander, they say,
if you want a good return on your investment, Northland
and the West Coast are still great places to buy
and always have been because you can actually make money
out of the farm as you as you go. I
(04:37):
mean there was a glitch in the middle there for
a while for dairy, but it is a fabulous place
to farm. So that's a plug for the coast from
me today.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
I know that Fonterra is doing their road shows. That's
why Henry Ackland is in the studio. Myles Hurrell I
think is in Picago tonight. Henry yep, he's a in
Picago tonight and he's getting a pretty good reception from
the Fonterra punters. We heard from Open Country Dairy a
wee bit earlier in the week. They're going strongly well
(05:05):
well as well. What about Westland.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Milk, Oh, look, it's growing really really well. They did
a lot of the investment that was already in the
capital plan for the future that you know, quite frankly,
we couldn't afford to do as just a farm our
own co op, how fast we wanted to go. They've
done all that, so it's got lots of new kits
as in the factory, and everyone is really buoyant. They're
(05:28):
sticking to all the agreements they made and extending a
lot of those is and how our guaranteed payout will
look in the future. Ten cents above farm gate milk
price for Fonterra, so what's not to like. And it's
a great employer and all those things as well for
the coast. But it is when gold price is where
it is, you've got gold and milk grown through the
(05:48):
veins of the coast and long mate last, it's very
important for us over here on the coast, well here today,
but it's just the dual and end all for farming
actually for the coast is still lies.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
And okay, have you spotted any celebrities at the South
Island field days, because as Chris Hipkins a celebrity in
your mind, he's coming up next on the show.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Well he's not the biggest celebrity in my mind of course,
but yeah, no, I haven't run into him yet, and
I'm going to go and track down the hoggarden and
haven't we chat to him too? But first of all,
I'm going to go and have a piece of beautiful
lamb actually, but it's just driving me crazy, cooking right
beside me at a barbecue. Team.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Oh, don't hold mister Hoggart up when he's meant to
be speaking to me. Hopefully I'll get him before he
starts eating some of that lettuce, Katie Melon, thanks for
your time, all good Jamie, have a good day there
we go. Katie Milon on the ground. Great weather in
Canterbury today for day two of the South Island Field Days,
raining in duned and I hope that wet weather can
hold off a wee bit longer although someplace. In fact,
(06:48):
I hope it shoots straight through Canterbury and heads up
to the North Island where it's needed up next. Chris
Sipkins on the country. Is Winston really looking more like
an angry old man shouting at the sky. We'll ask
the Leader of the Opposition, Okay, welcome back to the country.
(07:17):
I thought I'd missed him, but I've just got him.
I do appreciate the time of the Leader of the Opposition,
Chris Hipkins. He's everyone's at kerw Wee today at the
South Island Field Days. You've just heard from Katie Milne,
a leader of the opposition Labor Party leader. Hey, Chris,
what sort of reception you're getting from the farmers there?
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Oh? Very good actually, And when they thought that you
were ringing the guy that said that I should just
snare you and keep talking to them, you know.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Oh yeah, well there was that time, young, is it?
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah, tell time to barger off from me. But anyhow,
I'm glad you're enjoying, no doubt you'll be enjoying some
of those wonderful weed lamb lollipops. You're having a we
lamb rack for lunch.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Well, I hope. So we haven't quite made. We haven't
made of that faring, but I've heard promises, so I'm
hoping that they'll deliver. Now.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
I'm going to be chatting to Andrew Hoggard shortly. A
lot of politicians at kerw Wee today and they tell
me Andrew's shredding. He's eating the lettuce at the moment,
And after hearing Winston's diet yesterday or reading about it
in the Herald, I wonder if that's making him look
like an angry old man shouting at the sky.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
Chrisshipkins well, I think we just maybe we should start
calling Winston Popeye. Yeah, I think good on them. I
think protein and vegies. It sounds like a reasonable diet.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
To be Yeah, well he's got a cast iron constitution.
I'll give him that, mind you, before we get onto
the serious issues of the day. You're a great sausage
roll man, and you're a reasonably trim sort of bloke.
How do you keep your waistline at bay and your job?
Because it's not an easy job.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
No, I have did put on quite a bit of
weight over the last couple of years, but I still
try and exercise, glean pee so if I can get
out for a decent walk, get out on the bike,
even get to the gym, just does make a difference.
And also I try try not to eat while standing up,
so basically, if you keep it to your three meals
a day rather than just snacking as you're going around
all the time. Because one of the things about being
(09:11):
a politician is you get off of food everywhere you go.
It's a nice problem to have, but if you're not careful,
you do put on a lot of weight.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Now, talking about food, I was in Wellington for National
LAMB day for the Parliamentary barbecue, and we went into
the house at question time. After that, there was sort
of a snap debate with David Seymour on the school
lunch a debarcle if you want, And I saw you,
and I will say this, and I'm not paying in
your pocket here, but I reckon, you're better in the
house than you are on Telly.
Speaker 6 (09:41):
Oh, thank you.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
I don't I don't know. I don't know whether that's
a compliment or not, Jamie, but I'll take it.
Speaker 7 (09:46):
As a compliment.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yeah, Well, you were very quick on your feet as
a debater. Do you need to show some more of
that on the Telly?
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Well, you reckon. Well, the problem is we don't get
to we don't get to determine what bits of what
we say you end up on the t All the
other people make those decisions, unfortunately, but you know, we
just keep plugging away.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Now, let's look at a couple of issues. There's been
changes or proposed changes to the r m A, and
quite rightly you're saying that we need bipartisan support and
we need to get some sort of agreement on it.
Is that likely to happen?
Speaker 4 (10:22):
I don't know, it'll really come down to the government
and whether they're willing to look for a compromise. What
I've said to them is that we accept that we're
not going to get everything that we want out of this.
But I think, you know, New Zealanders and across the
political spectrum are getting a bit weary, were more than
a bit weary of the political ping pong where governments
change and everything just gets thrown up in.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
The air again.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
So on issues around resource management, we all agree that
it needs to change. We all agree that things are
too slow, too cumbersome, and actually, you know, the resource
management and agium at the moment isn't actually necessarily doing
what it's supposed to do, which is to allow the
use of natural resources while protecting the environment. So you know,
I think we all need to we all agree there
needs to be changed. Now. We've got some things that
(11:05):
we want to see represented in that, the government have
things that they want to see represented in that. If
we can find some common ground and some compromise, then
you know, I'd love to be in a position at
the next election where we say, look, we didn't get
everything we want, but we're not going to change it
any further because you know, I think people just deserve
a period of a bit of certainty.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
But is it way too complex? And I know that
you guys had a go at reforming at nine hundred
pages later David Parker had finished, can't we simplify it?
Speaker 4 (11:34):
Well? I think that's the issue is sometimes actually the
longer the legislation, the more straightforward it is. Some of
the most complicated legislation or laws you know that Parliament
passes at the short ones where you leave a lot
of a lot of questions unanswered, and the courts end
up determining a lot of stuff, and local councils end
up determining a lot of stuff, and people end up
trying to figure It's been a lot of time trying
to figure out what the law actually means. So I
(11:56):
don't want to set a page limit for it, because
actually sometimes being a bit more detailed gives people more
certainty and actually makes a little easier to follow.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Hey, a final question for you, do you think you
were technically naive or got it wrong? Dismissing Winston an
angry old man shouting at the sky, because I kind
of reckon he was your only pathway if that at
all was possible to the Treasury benches because I think
people can live with Labor. I don't think they can
live with the Greens or the Party Mari, and I'm
(12:27):
talking about Middle New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Here, Oh, a lot of water to flow under the
bridge before that those things come into contention, that'll be
that's a decision for further down the track, you know,
later on next year. But you know, Winston beaters have
a flick at us, We'll have a flicker back it. It
just has had, you know, that's the nature of politics.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
But I was pleased to see you come out and
slam Tamitha Paul, the Green MPUs going on about doesn't
want to see cops on the beat, doesn't want prisons,
another Green saying people would feel with a patched gang
member than police. This is just utter nonsense. How can
you governm with people like that?
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Well, I mean, I think the key thing here is
that I am willing to call out the other parties
who we might otherwise sometimes work with when they do
things that are stupid. And I think that actually is
a difference between myself and Christopher Luxen, who basically lets
David Seymoura and Winston Peters just get away with all
sorts of craziness. I actually think he We've got a
gupfull of that. I think, you know, they actually want
(13:29):
to see the bigger political parties who actually get the
most votes are the ones who are actually calling most
of the shots. I think. Except that compromises needed any
MMP from time to time, that doesn't mean that Winston
Peter's and David seen Wan should be able to hold
the country to ransom.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Christopher Christopher, Jeez, I'm getting confused. I better call you, Chris.
I'll just go with Chris hip cans the other blogs. Christopher, Hey,
thanks for your time. You go and enjoy some of
those lamb lollipops at a fco for your lunch.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
I will do a dad. I was going to say, Jamie,
the only person who calls me Christopher is my mother,
and that's when it's only I'm in trouble.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Oh, well maybe maybe that's a metaphor for our current
prime minister. Well yes, no, I left the door open
for you there and listen. Thanks for your time, and
good on you for fronting up at the Field Days
and having a look at how rural New Zealand operates.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
Good, Jamie.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Okay, there we go. Leader of the opposition, Labor Leader
Chris Hopkins, and I do mean what I said about
when he was debating in the house, sharp on his feet.
I'll give him that, even if I don't necessarily agree
with his politics. But anyhow, that's why we all get
one vote each, although some parties would like to change
that as well. Up next, this is this is my
(14:41):
favorite name, Mvanui Alexander. She's a North Otago dairy farmer.
She's the event co chair of the South Island Dairy event.
We've been talking about the South Island Field Days or
the South Islandairy Events being held in Timaru on April
seven to nine. We're going to tell you how you
can get along to that. Next, on the country, we
(15:14):
chat to some interesting people here on the country, some
of them with very interesting names. But I'll tell you what,
this takes a bit of beating. I love chatting to her,
Mvanwie Alexander. And if you're wondering where that name came from. Mcvanwie,
I think it came from Wales.
Speaker 8 (15:30):
It does.
Speaker 9 (15:30):
Indeed, Jamie, I've been here seventeen almost eighteen years now,
but yes, still proudly.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Welsh, even if it is a very bad year to
be a Welsh.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Rugby supporter, Yes it is. Indeed, you can't buy a break,
can you? For your rugby team? Never mind you for
your sins. Are the co chair of the South Island
Airy Event. We've been talking today about the South Island
Field Days at kerwe Well we're going to go down
the road awebit and up the road a weebit from
you because you're based in North Otago, but it's Timaru
(15:59):
April seven to nine, the South Island Airy Event. Looking
forward to going along a bit of professional development for me.
Why the move from June as it was last year
to April.
Speaker 9 (16:10):
Yeah, well Jamie, we just decided it was time to
maybe make a bit of a shift. So we sort
of started to slowly see it downward trend in farmer attendants.
And that's not what this is about. This is not
an event for rural professionals. Great if they want to
come along, but it's all about the farmers. It's farmers
talking to farmers, it's sharing the information and getting better
and incremental gains through knowledge sharing. So basically we worked
(16:36):
out that this time of year that we had wasn't working.
You've got things like new staff coming on farm that
you're training, You've got chas on crop, and we all
know how stressful it can be to lease kas on crop,
especially if you have a bad weather day and with
a new staff added into that. And then there's also
the fact that people actually might want a holiday and
we break while the cars are dry, Jamien. So yeah,
we decided let's move to April. Let's make this sit
(16:58):
in hopefully a lot better to people's farming calendars and
has a slightly less hectic time of year.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Okay, what's going to tempt the punters along to tomorrow.
Speaker 9 (17:07):
We've got some awesome speakers, Jamie, just to start off with.
So we have Emma Twigg, our amazing Olympic rower opening
the day on the eighth. We've got Cameron Bagriy doing
a fabulous breakfast on the morning of the nights, and
we have doctor Ellen Ford and Sam Owen talking to
us as well. Doctor Ellen talks a lot about you know,
(17:29):
people and how we can make the most of our
teams and looking outside the box for employment solutions. And
Sam Owen, well you'll know him well, Jamie. He's a
great character, a long history with the Rural Support Trust.
He's a farmer himself and now a teacher at Madamada College.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Well he's come from the wrong side of the hemisphere
as well. He's a bit like you.
Speaker 9 (17:50):
Yeah, absolutely not a biased peck at all, but yes, no,
Sam's a great fella and he's got a really really
energetic and entertaining talk. Come at us.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
The website is obviously well just google South Island Airy Event.
You'll get there. How do you register? How much does
it cost you to go along?
Speaker 9 (18:08):
Yeah, well there's a whole load of different options and costs.
Why so head along to the website. The registration that
pops up the moment you arrive, so it's really easy,
you can't miss it, and then head along and select
what you want to come to and the cost will
go from there. So we've got everything we've got. Come
along to the field day, which is half day on
the seventh of April. We're going to a poor dam
(18:30):
and going to learn a lot about their irrigation scheme
and everything's going then the challenges and opportunities coming up
for them in the next few years. And then we're
heading to the port then we've got day one of
the event proper, so that's on the eighth, and then
we've got a dinner on the evening of the eighth
which will.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
Be great fun.
Speaker 9 (18:47):
Country comes to Towan.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Grab your boots.
Speaker 9 (18:49):
And jeans and you check shirt and come have a
good party. We've got a great band for that. And
then Wednesday the nights as well for the final day,
so there's plenty going on. And then of course the break.
This is Cam Baggery on the morning of the Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Yeah, he's very good. We'll be chatting to him next week.
On the Country. You are a North Otago dairy farmer.
How's the season treating you well?
Speaker 9 (19:09):
Jamie? I feel a bit guilty saying this, but we're
in a really good year.
Speaker 6 (19:14):
It's been.
Speaker 9 (19:14):
It just seems to rain just when we need it
and the grass is growing, but we all know it
goes and swings and roundabouts. From last year was particularly
hard up this top end of the way Tacky Valley,
so we're very grateful and not taking it for granted
having a nice season this season.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
There we go. My favorite name on the Country mvan
we Alexander, co chair of the South Island Dairy Event,
go online and register. It is happening in Timaru April
seventh to nine. We'll look forward to seeing you there.
Speaker 9 (19:42):
Thanks Jemie, I'll see you there.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Looking forward to it. Right, it is twenty nine away
from one. You are with the country. Some feedback on
Chris Hipkins. I knew this would happen. Hipkins defending nine
hundred plus RIMA legislation pages on the ground of clarity.
What bs writes Don and Kevin says, what planet has
(20:05):
this guy been living on? He's tone death to middle
of New Zealand. But good on him for fronting up
at the Field Days. I'm sure he's not being mobbed.
I wouldn't have thought by the farmers there, but at
least he's turned up and Joe Luxton there also representing labor.
But talking about the South Island Field Days, I think
(20:26):
we might go. We might have to go to We
might have to go to Andrew Hoggard next, because I
think he's got a lunch appointment with some lettuce, so
I might go to Andrew Hoggard next. We'll get Michellen
to do rural news as special sports news reader. As
Henry Ackland pr guy for Fonterra and our Rossie correspondent
(20:49):
is Chris Russell all that before the end of the hour. Yeah,
from Sheehad to the pet shop boys. We're playing all
(21:11):
the heavy rockers today on the country. Is this man
a heavy rocker? Or is he shredding on lettuce for
lunch at the South Island field days? Andrew Hoggard, your predecessor,
Katie Meln said, you're on a letus.
Speaker 6 (21:25):
Died, Andrew, not that I've seen recently.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Have you seen Chippy? Are you anywhere near the f
coat site? I think he's having Lamb chops for lunch.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
No, I've got Lamb shops there. I'll head around there shortly. Actually, no,
I've been on our site and yeah, we'll go for
lunch soon.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
Now.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
Talking about Chippy, he did come out where is this here?
It is here, so he said. Every day Winston looks
more and more like an angry old man shouting at
the sky. Because there was talk a few weeks ago
in the media, probably a bit of a beat up,
that Chippy was looking to woo New Zealand first over
and if he got Winston he could get past a
(22:06):
post because God help us, literally, Andrew hogguard of Chippy
wins and he's in with Tamotha Paul and rahwary wy Tea.
I mean they're nut jobs.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (22:19):
Well, I mean we heard all the stuff on defund
the police and stuff in Parliament yesterday, along with the
last couple of days from the Greens talking about how
terrible it is to make a profit. And I've got
no idea where you know, well, no, I do have
an idea where they get their economic ideas from North
Korea and Soviet Russia. But yeah, it's crazy stuff. And
(22:43):
you know, we can't leave these guys near leavers of
Parrot or it would absolutely destroy this country.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
I absolutely agree with you right now. What are the
big issues? Because you're mixing these are a great opportunity
for you to network at the coal face with farmers.
I see talking about Winston again. He says, why are
we making a rod for our own backs being part
of the Paris Accord, punishing our farmers and our taxpayers
and our economy when China or the US could sneeze
(23:09):
and produce more CO two overnight than we do in
a year. So we know when New Zealand first stands,
where does the Act Party stand on the Paris Accord.
Speaker 6 (23:19):
Well, actually, well, David said something very similar to you
a month and a bit back. I believe, you know,
were the reality is the world's changing. We've got to
constantly re evaluate where we stand and what's in our
best interests. So you know, at the moment, well, maybe
it is, maybe it isn't, but that's something we need
to reevaluate. Obviously at the moment, we're in a coalition
(23:41):
and this is the deal we're operating under. But you know,
for us, and I've always thought, you know, the problem
with the Paris Accord is they've got the sentence in
there around what is it, you know, lower emissions whilst
maintaining food production, and it's only ever been paid lip
service to. And actually, you know, I think New Zealand
should be leading the charge on what does that actually
(24:02):
look like because when you think about that sentence, it
means about efficiency and that is what New Zealand does
so well, one of the most efficient producers of food
in the world. And you know the world needs more
and more food, not less and less, so and that
means we need to you know, if you want to
follow through with the Paris Accord, we need to be
producing more food where it can be done more efficiently,
(24:23):
and that's New Zealand. So we need a system that
recognizes New Zealand's interests.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
I'd vote for that, Andrew Haggard. Now, so what are
the other What are the other That doesn't mean I'm
voting act of course, what are the other topics the
farmers are talking to you about?
Speaker 6 (24:39):
Obviously with the announcement around resource management the other day,
that's a big topic of interest here particularly you know
a lot of the challenges they have in Canterbury. So
I've been talking to a few people around what's what's
in the works, what may be changing, how will things
be better? And so it's, yeah, a real key topic.
And I think you know, we've for so long in
(24:59):
this country being held back by the rim A and
basically a culture of saying no and systems that are
just in place that just costs so much to move
forward on anything. And the whole purpose of reform is
to try and get stuff done, and it's going to
be so important to enabling this country to be the
(25:19):
best little place in the world, which is where we
should be.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Absolutely all right, Andrew, thanks for some of your time.
I'll let you go and have some lunch. That's the thing,
the really big thing about field days. You can always
find somewhere to have lunch. And I'm a bit biased
because I always end up making paying a visit to
AFCO at Mystery Creek. I think they do the best
lunch at Mystery Creek. So maybe maybe head along there
(25:44):
and the chippy's left some chops. You fill your chops
well do Okay, See you later, Andrew Hogard, see Darie
there is Minister of Associate ad Minister and Minister of
bar Security. Didn't get time to talk about that, but
up next we're going to take a break, better late
than never. Rural News with Michelle. Sports News with our
(26:06):
special sports guest, sports newsreader Henry Ackland from Fonterra. Before
the end of the hour, our guy across the Ditch,
Chris Russell, Welcome back to the country. Sixteen away from one.
(26:31):
While that wraps all the action from the South Island
field days. Remember if you want to go to the
South Island Airy event in Timaru April seven to nine,
just google it. Registrations are open. Here's Michelle with the
latest and rural news.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
The country's world news with cub Cadet, New Zealand's leading
right on lawn Bower brand visit Steelford dot Cott z
for your locals Dargist.
Speaker 8 (26:58):
The Balance Farm Environment Awards were in the Greater Wellington
Region last night, where the fourth Supreme Regional winners were
announced Mark and Susannah Guscott of glenn Eden Farms and Ponatah.
He took out the overall win for the region. The
judges commended Susannah and Mark for their outstanding ability to
farm in harmony with the environment, people and animals. The
next Regional Regional Awards will take place on the second
(27:21):
of April and the.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
White case, Oh I think I know Mark Guscott, don't I.
Speaker 8 (27:24):
I don't know what you're asking me that.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
I congratulations Mark if I do know you, and commiserations
for you if you don't know me. No, that's just
being smart, Okay. So that's Michelle. Is that it rural
news right here? He is. This is what we do
when we get visitors in the studio. We get them
to read the sports news, but normally we don't let
them pre read it. Michelle's forgotten about that, so she's
(27:49):
given it to Henry Ackland Fonterra's PR guy for the
for the sports news. We'll see how he goes.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Sports where the af go key, we to bone. Since
nineteen oh.
Speaker 7 (28:01):
Four, the World Cricketers Association has issued a bold gambit
to reshape the sports annual calendar, the player's arm of
the Game tam the game needs in an international window
from twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Formerly Well, it's a pretty crappy read, but you've got
a great voice, if you don't mind me saying so,
kick a little bit closer to that, Mike away you go.
Speaker 7 (28:27):
Former Crusader's assistant Andrew Goodman has been appointed to the
British and Irish Lines staff as a back specialist.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
And is that sports near Well, I'm Henry Ackland from
fan Sarah. I like that. I like it. I think
we can do something with you. Okay, up next? What
are we doing up next? We've got now?
Speaker 8 (28:51):
Is he correspondent?
Speaker 2 (28:52):
Yeah, he'll he'll come after the break and then we'll
wrap the show with Henry after Chris.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Aussie update with Ecolab, solid range, solid products, solid partnership,
solid results.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Our guy across the ditch is Chris Russell. Let's see
what's happening in the Lucky Country or is it the
Lucky country? Chris. You've got no duck hunting season in
Victoria because of bird flu. This is the story we
alluded to last week.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
Yeah, well we have. It's only certain parts of Victoria
which where restrictions have been brought in dues of an
outbreak of this eight seven strain of bird flu. It's
not the horrible H five N one one, but nonetheless
the destructive disease has been found on four properties near Euroa,
and there's six hundred thousand birds have been culled and
(29:52):
all sorts of bands are moving to birds. And one
of the side issues is that they've put restrictions on
the duck hunting system, which which started starts this Wednesday
and runs until June the ninth, So that's certainly a
bit of an issue. Of course, all the duck hunters
are saying it's conspiracy theory to get rid of duck
hunting in the whole of Victoria and all that sort
(30:14):
of thing, which I don't think there's any sign that
that's the case. But you know this, it's a real
worry this bird floor I see in the UK they've
just discovered the first example of H five N one,
which is the really nasty one being found in a sheep.
So we've suddenly had a big biosecurity warning here because
(30:36):
that happened here. That's really going to be a real
worry and the exciteds have certainly called for more investment
the safeguard sheep industry, which is currently worth about five
billion dollars a year.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
Now.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
We often accuse you Australians of a bit of inbreeding,
but in the case of your most expensive working dog,
it's true.
Speaker 5 (30:56):
Yes, well you know it's a lot of money to
pay for for a dog. Forty thousand dollars for this
female border Collie called Liz. Do you get that Muster
Dog series in New Zealand jomieh.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Not that I know, but that's not to say we
don't have it about anyhow.
Speaker 5 (31:14):
Carry on, it's an amazing series. Here theft of the
third series here. The first one featured Bought a Collie,
second one Kelvi's. This third one has been Kelby's versus
Bought a Collie's based on pups that are given out
to people and they monitor over twelve months to see
which one more quickly becomes a good working dog, and
the guy who won the first series has actually bred
(31:37):
these dogs using this Liz, which he paid forty thousand
dollars for and he bought the half brother as well,
whose name was Sid, for thirty three thousand. Now apparently
it is quite common. I wasn't aware of this to
breed within families like that so that they could actually
really concentrate the genes. So they've just had nine pups.
(32:01):
So it looks like you get his money back pretty quickly,
and she has hardly done any work yet. So since
he gets his money back, I suppose you'll be out
to work and we'll be interesting to see how she
does in terms of how those pups do in terms
of putting them on the market.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Jamie Chris, I remember you and I going to the
first ever event at the new Olympics Stadium in Sydney
back in the late nineties early two thousand. We saw
the Beg's one of the best concert I've ever seen,
just before the Sydney Olympics. Well, you've got the Olympics
again in Australia in Brisbane in twenty thirty two. It's
(32:36):
on my bucket list to go to the Olympics am
I going to be sitting in a very flash new
stadium or stadia?
Speaker 5 (32:43):
Well, and this has been the big question. I mean
they got effectively eleven years notice of this and they've
garicaded how are we going to do it? What stadio
are we going to have? Of course they're very strict
what you need to do if you're going to run Olympics.
They just announced this week with the sort of statutory
seven year in a MI, so they've wasted a few
of their notice years that what they're going to do.
(33:05):
And the new Olympics stadium is going to hit total
in cost it sounds like about five billion dollars. Now
three billion of that is the stadium itself, but they've
also got to put a whole lot of public transport
infrastructure to actually get the people the last kilometer across
to the stadium from where the where all the transport finishes.
(33:25):
At the moment, the stadium is going to be sixty
three thousand seats. The one that we had in Sydney,
remember was one hundred thousand seats when it was originally built.
And then they knocked the back on the top off
the two stands at each end to bring it down
to eighty five thousand after that, so it'll be a
tremendous thing to have in Brisbane, no doubt about that.
They're also building a new aqu aqua stadium or a
(33:46):
swimming stadium and all this will be finished in time.
So everyone's sort of saying, Sydney greatest Olympics ever. Can
we do the same thing again at Brisbane. Well, they're
going to put their money where their mouth is. Christoph Fooley,
the Premier, says it's going to be probably a break
even Olympics. Well they all say that. I've yet to
see one where that actually happens. But what it does
(34:07):
for the country and the state. I still think that
Olympics in Sydney was the best I've ever seen Sydney.
Everyone talking to each other, just a wonderful time.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
So that leaves the issue of just paying for it,
and on that note, very quickly to finish. Chris Russell,
you've just had your budget. Anything in it for agriculture, yeah,
very little.
Speaker 5 (34:25):
There's money which is good for biosecurity, that's a key issue.
But in terms of infrastructure for the bush, you know,
fixing up the potholes and the roads and better rail
and so on virtually nothing. Twelve million worker is going
to get a tax break of two hundred and thirty
six dollars after twenty twenty five twenty six, but you know,
(34:49):
really that's it. So it's been a pretty ordinary budget,
not one we're expecting, and I hopefully will help mister
Dutton a little bit because we really need some change
here in Australia.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
Hey, good on you, Chris Russell. Will catch you again,
same time, same place next week.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
Look forward to a Jamie.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
Thanks Chris wrapping the country. He's made a special visit
down to see us in Dunedin. PR guy for Fonterra.
Henry Ackland from the famous Ackland farming family. Henry, what
relation are you to Kate by the way, Chair of
Beeth and Lamb, New Zealand.
Speaker 7 (35:21):
Yeah, yeah, David is my cousin who's married to Kate.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
Right, very well. Haven't you got a prime minister somewhere
in the deep dark past of your family?
Speaker 7 (35:30):
No?
Speaker 4 (35:30):
No, I don't think so.
Speaker 7 (35:31):
Not a prime minister.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
Oh okay, anyhow well to do good farming family. This
is Jordan Luck and the Exponents. Now Geraldine, you wanted
a Geraldine band? I went to Lincoln with the bloke,
and his claim to fame was that the Exponents or
dance exponents as they were in those days, their first
ever gig was at his older brother's twenty first I'm
(35:53):
not sure whether that's true or not, but it's a
good story. But what a great story behind the exponents.
Speaker 7 (35:59):
Yeah, no, a bit Jordan and he's a great guy.
Speaker 2 (36:03):
Well, he is a great guy. He's a bit of
an icon. He doesn't drink anymore. Is that right yet?
Speaker 5 (36:07):
No?
Speaker 7 (36:07):
I think he's off the booze.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
Well there you go. Rock and roll can be a
hard life. Yeah, yeah, okay, Henry, listen, thank you for
coming in. I really appreciate it. And I know you're
on the road shows, the Fonterra road shows, I think
finish and in the cargo tonight, Miles Hurrell no doubt
getting a pretty good reception, i'd think from the farmer shareholders.
That wraps the country for today. We'll be back again
(36:32):
at the same time, same place tomorrow. We'll leave you
with Jordan Luck. I don't know.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
Catch you're the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mcguy. Thanks to Brent, You're specialist in
John dere construction equipment,
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