Sandra Faulkner has been appointed vice-president of Federated Farmers, taking up the role under new president Colin Hurst.
Faulkner, a Tairāwhiti farmer and the organisation’s adverse events spokesperson, was confirmed in the role on Thursday.
“A huge thank you to the National Council for their faith in me,” she says.
“It’s pretty exciting, and I haven’t come down quite off that high yet.”
The same decision backed Hurst, a longtime member of the organisation, saying few understand the intricacies of freshwater legislation as well as he does.
“He’s an incredibly experienced farmer and advocate, and has got farmers’ interests deep at heart.”
Faulkner says the organisation is going forward in a strong position.
“We’re heading into an election, which of course is kind of our bread and butter at Federated Farmers, so roll on.”
Faulkner says the organisation’s priorities do not change, with generational legislative reform coming at farming families.
“They need to be done well, and they need to be done in an articulate fashion so that we take the country with us, and that’s really important to me.”
Faulkner says the mood towards farming has turned, lifting farmer confidence.
“I believe that New Zealand backs its farmers, and I also believe firmly in backing the future of farmers.
“That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing.”
The Wairarapa has been hit again, part of what Faulkner calls a revolving door for the East Coast.
“A picture tells a thousand words. It beats the heck out of reports, that’s for sure.
“Get up in the air, get seeing, get out and see what you can.”
Faulkner says the triggers for declaring an emergency have tightened, and the Emergency Management Bill is due before Parliament shortly.
“In that, there is going to be a mandate for our rural communities.”
CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.
