December 10, 2025 • 9 mins
Eric Roy says RMA reform is a good thing but it needs to be implemented in the right way.
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
Eric Roy has a farm in the Fjordland Basin. He's
wore a number of hats over the years, including being
an MP for a long time up there in Parliament
and as well recently was the chair of the New
Zealand Port Board. And we catch up on a regular basis.
Good afternoon, Eric.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Good afternoon, sunshining it to you now, a beautiful day.
Can't complain about anything.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Yeah, you were saying before, you just got to get
on top of that tractor work.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
A good day will finish it now. I'm poised. I'm poised.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So we talk about these changes to arimays that have
been proposed by Chris Bishop. You've had a little skin
of game in the game over the years, Eric, in
more ways than one. It'll be interesting to get your
viewpoint around this. Is this going to be a good thing?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Look, I think of it leans in the right place.
My only concern is that to get these things that's
exactly right takes a bit of time and quite a
bit of work, and the timeframes that they put on
this might be a bit of a handicap to getting
it exactly right. And as long as they're open to
recognizing amendments might be the case. But you know, I've
(01:19):
said other MPs saying it takes several years to get
this right and you only need one clause that someone
can get into that will delay and hold that up.
But look, do I think it's a good idea. Yes,
we needed to have a look at it, either personally
or in things I'm associated with. I've done subdivisions and
zone changing of land and a few things, and it's
(01:42):
just a nightmare. And it's subject to so much interpretation
by someone who's trying to make a name for themselves,
or that's mind you. I can't think of any other
reason why they'd be so difficult. It's just time that
we got into having a look at sorting out the
best way forward. Look, if everybody's in agreement, why should
(02:04):
a cleanning officer say you can't do this, or you
need to do that, or these are our rules. And
so that stuff certainly needs to be streamlined, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Over zealous compliance officers, you are not alone in your thinking.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
They're eric, Well, we're not naming anybody or any particular
council or territorial authorities. We're just saying there's evidence that
this stuff needed to be addressed, and I think this
is a good start. We're just going to make short
lands in the right place and if we find an anomaly,
get ready to fix it before it becomes another problem.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Because resource the Resource Management Act on its own has
such a broad aspect to it as well. That's a
big thing to understand and this document is massive. So
there's only certain things that you need to understand from
a farming perspective.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Surely, well that's true, but the Resource Management Act. I've
brought about five acts together in nineteen ninety four in
the Town and Country Planning Act and quite a few
others and address that, and that needed to be done
at the time. We've now had thirty years of it,
so we need to say, well, where can it work better?
(03:14):
And that's why I think Chris Bishop has probably hit
the market. It's just say it's time to address it,
but let's get on and do it.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Is there a case of central government but government though
being too heavy handed in its rulings for like some
of regional councils to implement things well.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
This would be one of my concerns about the reforms
that have come alongside this RIMA in terms of where
the government wants to structural restructure the whole territory of
territorial authorities and regional councils, and to some degree, I
think they've found the regional councils to be a bit
(03:54):
of a possum that they want to demonize and be
a reason why growth hasn't happened. As far as is
at Schodap. That may be the case in some places,
but and I'm speaking as an individual, hean not as
my councilor had in the regional council. But if you
look at Southland, it's absolutely unique in the country. There
isn't another regional area that has the same issues. We've
(04:18):
got three angry rivers that can flood the wire, the
Matwa in the arena. You've got another couple, the have
Marima and the Macaria that can do that. We've got
the longest coastline of any regional council in the country
and the two national parks bordering those. We've got all
these things to manage. They've got one hundred thousand people
(04:41):
and so I don't think the local mayors want us
to buy into this and say, you know, we can
do this job. So actually having a unity council that's
controlled by a board of mayas. I think we need
to go back and have another look at that and
see if that's the best way to do it. And
from Southern's point of view, we're head of the government
(05:02):
on this. We've got the Local Government Commission having a
look at South and then saying, well, what do we
need here? Is a unitary council going to be the way?
What's this structure? How many territorial authorities do we need?
And I just hope and that's going to be an
occasion where there's absolute consultation with every sector of South
(05:23):
and business, EWI, ecological whatever, They're all going to have
a say in that with the Local Government Commission. And
I just hope that mister Bishop lets that process run
before he comes out and says no, a board of
me is and now going to run this.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Well, perhaps this is the opportunity to revamp the whole
council structure as well, given that over two hundred elected
officials to local government got their jobs recently without having
any to have to go to any campaigning of the
likes we're including mayors around the country. So jargumen is
there we need to streamline this for unnecessary costs.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Oh look, I think that's absolutely right. And to some extent,
they've also been cost plus industries and some of it
government has loaded onto them and things that they have
to do, and then you need to pack that up
with science and that employees small people, and so the
ratepayer has been the one who's had to fund all this,
(06:22):
and then there needs to be a bit of a redress,
and I say put it on the table. Let's have
a look. Let's see what is the best way that
we can do this and protect people's property rights, their
health and anything else that needs to happen. In what
the role of those territorial authorities and regional councils. Let's
have a look at it. I'm not frightened at doing that.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
But it's interesting too. We looked at a farming viewpoint
regarding resource consents or just the consenting process in general,
making it easier for farming just to exist, because that
is what is needed to happen for a very long time.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Look, and I think I certainly think that this coalition
understands that the figures for exporting for the last year
one hundred, one hundred billion and sixty billion of that
was from primary industry. That is our business, and we
have to facilitate that. While we recognize that the environment
(07:21):
has to be managed and looked after. But let's get
on and help those people. And when you see some
of the things that are coming and now hold her
and a whole range of things there that are just
open to us, and we need to be able to say,
let's have a look at how we can do the
whole thing better. And my expectation is that that percentage
(07:42):
of sixty exports is going to increase. The other thing
I'd say is this supposing I had but there's a
very high net in what is New Zealand and what
we export from primary production. If you've got a manufacture invasion,
importing molding and raw material else and everything else. Agriculture
is basically just a bit of fert and add water.
(08:05):
And so there's a very high net in that sixty
billion that we export, much much higher than the other
forty percent that has high inputs on imports into it
before it's real, you know, remodified and exported.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Just finally, Eric, how would you look at the past
twelve months from a farming perspective.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Well, I think we've seen a redressing of the fact
that meat proteins have not been in the same kind
of role that they traditionally have. I've been farming sinside
nineteen sixty five on and off, and traditionally milk powder
(08:47):
and red meat proteins have been within ten percent of
each other, and milk powder got away ahead, and that
that brought some changes to the way in which countryside work.
But now that looks like and I'm hoping that we've
hit a new plateau and we can all work forward
on that. So it's been great to see that the
(09:09):
part of the agriculture that is kind of struggling is
the arable sector. They've had increased costs, but there hasn't
been an increase in their products. So those guys, they'll
be looking for a good Christmas and a good New Year.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Speaking of a good Christmas, Ererih Croy, you, Elizabeth and
the family, You enjoy it and we'll catch up in
twenty twenty six. Well, you always appreciate your time on
the Muster.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
And it's been my pleasure. And can I just wish
all our listeners the very best for Christmas and have
a prosperous New year.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Eric Roy talking a lot of scenes around the Arimys.
This is the muster up. Next with a way to
Mocker Reader, and let's catch up with Matt McCrae.
Eric Roy has a farm in the Fjordland Basin. He's
wore a number of hats over the years, including being
an MP for a long time up there in Parliament
and as well recently was the chair of the New
Zealand Port Board. And we catch up on a regular basis.
Good afternoon, Eric.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Good afternoon, sunshining it to you now, a beautiful day.
Can't complain about anything.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Yeah, you were saying before, you just got to get
on top of that tractor work.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
A good day will finish it now. I'm poised. I'm poised.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So we talk about these changes to arimays that have
been proposed by Chris Bishop. You've had a little skin
of game in the game over the years, Eric, in
more ways than one. It'll be interesting to get your
viewpoint around this. Is this going to be a good thing?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Look, I think of it leans in the right place.
My only concern is that to get these things that's
exactly right takes a bit of time and quite a
bit of work, and the timeframes that they put on
this might be a bit of a handicap to getting
it exactly right. And as long as they're open to
recognizing amendments might be the case. But you know, I've
(01:19):
said other MPs saying it takes several years to get
this right and you only need one clause that someone
can get into that will delay and hold that up.
But look, do I think it's a good idea. Yes,
we needed to have a look at it, either personally
or in things I'm associated with. I've done subdivisions and
zone changing of land and a few things, and it's
(01:42):
just a nightmare. And it's subject to so much interpretation
by someone who's trying to make a name for themselves,
or that's mind you. I can't think of any other
reason why they'd be so difficult. It's just time that
we got into having a look at sorting out the
best way forward. Look, if everybody's in agreement, why should
(02:04):
a cleanning officer say you can't do this, or you
need to do that, or these are our rules. And
so that stuff certainly needs to be streamlined, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Over zealous compliance officers, you are not alone in your thinking.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
They're eric, Well, we're not naming anybody or any particular
council or territorial authorities. We're just saying there's evidence that
this stuff needed to be addressed, and I think this
is a good start. We're just going to make short
lands in the right place and if we find an anomaly,
get ready to fix it before it becomes another problem.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Because resource the Resource Management Act on its own has
such a broad aspect to it as well. That's a
big thing to understand and this document is massive. So
there's only certain things that you need to understand from
a farming perspective.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Surely, well that's true, but the Resource Management Act. I've
brought about five acts together in nineteen ninety four in
the Town and Country Planning Act and quite a few
others and address that, and that needed to be done
at the time. We've now had thirty years of it,
so we need to say, well, where can it work better?
(03:14):
And that's why I think Chris Bishop has probably hit
the market. It's just say it's time to address it,
but let's get on and do it.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Is there a case of central government but government though
being too heavy handed in its rulings for like some
of regional councils to implement things well.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
This would be one of my concerns about the reforms
that have come alongside this RIMA in terms of where
the government wants to structural restructure the whole territory of
territorial authorities and regional councils, and to some degree, I
think they've found the regional councils to be a bit
(03:54):
of a possum that they want to demonize and be
a reason why growth hasn't happened. As far as is
at Schodap. That may be the case in some places,
but and I'm speaking as an individual, hean not as
my councilor had in the regional council. But if you
look at Southland, it's absolutely unique in the country. There
isn't another regional area that has the same issues. We've
(04:18):
got three angry rivers that can flood the wire, the
Matwa in the arena. You've got another couple, the have
Marima and the Macaria that can do that. We've got
the longest coastline of any regional council in the country
and the two national parks bordering those. We've got all
these things to manage. They've got one hundred thousand people
(04:41):
and so I don't think the local mayors want us
to buy into this and say, you know, we can
do this job. So actually having a unity council that's
controlled by a board of mayas. I think we need
to go back and have another look at that and
see if that's the best way to do it. And
from Southern's point of view, we're head of the government
(05:02):
on this. We've got the Local Government Commission having a
look at South and then saying, well, what do we
need here? Is a unitary council going to be the way?
What's this structure? How many territorial authorities do we need?
And I just hope and that's going to be an
occasion where there's absolute consultation with every sector of South
(05:23):
and business, EWI, ecological whatever, They're all going to have
a say in that with the Local Government Commission. And
I just hope that mister Bishop lets that process run
before he comes out and says no, a board of
me is and now going to run this.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Well, perhaps this is the opportunity to revamp the whole
council structure as well, given that over two hundred elected
officials to local government got their jobs recently without having
any to have to go to any campaigning of the
likes we're including mayors around the country. So jargumen is
there we need to streamline this for unnecessary costs.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Oh look, I think that's absolutely right. And to some extent,
they've also been cost plus industries and some of it
government has loaded onto them and things that they have
to do, and then you need to pack that up
with science and that employees small people, and so the
ratepayer has been the one who's had to fund all this,
(06:22):
and then there needs to be a bit of a redress,
and I say put it on the table. Let's have
a look. Let's see what is the best way that
we can do this and protect people's property rights, their
health and anything else that needs to happen. In what
the role of those territorial authorities and regional councils. Let's
have a look at it. I'm not frightened at doing that.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
But it's interesting too. We looked at a farming viewpoint
regarding resource consents or just the consenting process in general,
making it easier for farming just to exist, because that
is what is needed to happen for a very long time.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Look, and I think I certainly think that this coalition
understands that the figures for exporting for the last year
one hundred, one hundred billion and sixty billion of that
was from primary industry. That is our business, and we
have to facilitate that. While we recognize that the environment
(07:21):
has to be managed and looked after. But let's get
on and help those people. And when you see some
of the things that are coming and now hold her
and a whole range of things there that are just
open to us, and we need to be able to say,
let's have a look at how we can do the
whole thing better. And my expectation is that that percentage
(07:42):
of sixty exports is going to increase. The other thing
I'd say is this supposing I had but there's a
very high net in what is New Zealand and what
we export from primary production. If you've got a manufacture invasion,
importing molding and raw material else and everything else. Agriculture
is basically just a bit of fert and add water.
(08:05):
And so there's a very high net in that sixty
billion that we export, much much higher than the other
forty percent that has high inputs on imports into it
before it's real, you know, remodified and exported.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Just finally, Eric, how would you look at the past
twelve months from a farming perspective.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Well, I think we've seen a redressing of the fact
that meat proteins have not been in the same kind
of role that they traditionally have. I've been farming sinside
nineteen sixty five on and off, and traditionally milk powder
(08:47):
and red meat proteins have been within ten percent of
each other, and milk powder got away ahead, and that
that brought some changes to the way in which countryside work.
But now that looks like and I'm hoping that we've
hit a new plateau and we can all work forward
on that. So it's been great to see that the
(09:09):
part of the agriculture that is kind of struggling is
the arable sector. They've had increased costs, but there hasn't
been an increase in their products. So those guys, they'll
be looking for a good Christmas and a good New Year.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Speaking of a good Christmas, Ererih Croy, you, Elizabeth and
the family, You enjoy it and we'll catch up in
twenty twenty six. Well, you always appreciate your time on
the Muster.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
And it's been my pleasure. And can I just wish
all our listeners the very best for Christmas and have
a prosperous New year.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Eric Roy talking a lot of scenes around the Arimys.
This is the muster up. Next with a way to
Mocker Reader, and let's catch up with Matt McCrae.
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