With the 2026 General Election fast approaching, Federated Farmers has launched a new political platform aimed at shaping the priorities of the next government, placing farming, food production and rural communities firmly at the centre of New Zealand’s economic future.
The organisation’s election campaign, titled Backing Kiwi Farmers, outlines a five-point plan that Federated Farmers says should become a key focus for political parties seeking support from rural New Zealand. The group argues that while farmers remain one of the country’s largest export earners, many continue to face increasing costs, regulatory pressures and uncertainty about the future.
Federated Farmers President Wayne Langford says the organisation’s priorities are intended to provide a practical roadmap for the next government, regardless of which parties form it after November’s election. The campaign focuses on improving economic growth, reducing regulatory burdens, strengthening property rights, supporting infrastructure development and ensuring rural communities remain viable and productive.
The release comes at a time when the primary sector remains a major contributor to the New Zealand economy, generating billions of dollars in export revenue through dairy, meat, wool, horticulture and forestry.
For Māori agribusiness, the debate is particularly significant.
Māori entities collectively control billions of dollars in agricultural, forestry and fisheries assets, making iwi and Māori landowners major stakeholders in any policy changes affecting the rural economy. Across Aotearoa, Māori trusts, incorporations and whānau farming operations continue to balance commercial opportunities with long-term kaitiakitanga responsibilities and environmental stewardship.
Many of the issues raised by Federated Farmers, including infrastructure investment, workforce shortages, land-use regulation and access to international markets, are also challenges facing Māori landowners and producers.
The organisation’s election priorities reflect growing concerns among farmers about compliance costs and the cumulative impact of government regulations. Rural leaders argue that while environmental protections remain important, policies must also allow farming businesses to remain profitable and internationally competitive.
The launch also signals that rural issues are likely to become a major battleground during the election campaign.
Political parties from across the spectrum are expected to intensify efforts to win support in provincial New Zealand, where concerns about economic growth, transport infrastructure, freshwater regulation, climate policy and land use continue to dominate public discussion.
The agricultural sector has increasingly positioned itself as a driver of national economic recovery, arguing that future prosperity will depend heavily on the success of export industries and regional economies.
At the same time, environmental groups and climate advocates continue to push for stronger protections for waterways, biodiversity and greenhouse gas reductions, highlighting the competing pressures politicians face as they develop policies for both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
For Māori communities involved in farming and primary industries, the challenge remains finding pathways that support economic development while protecting whenua, wai and future generations.
Federated Farmers says its campaign is intended to ensure rural voices are heard as parties prepare their election platforms in the months ahead. The organisation is expected to actively engage with political leaders throughout the campaign to secure commitments on its key priorities.
With the election now firmly on the horizon, the launch of Backing Kiwi Farmers signals that the battle for rural New Zealand’s vote is officially underway.
As political parties sharpen their policies and campaign messages, the future of farming, food production and regional development is shaping up as one of the defining issues of Election 2026.
