Groundswell NZ will continue to be a watchdog for farmers around the country and is waiting to see what unfolds in the first 100 days that the National Party is in power.

Co-founder Bryce McKenzie spoke on a podcast recently saying that its relationship with Federated Farmers was stronger than ever, and they were able to talk with one another again.

“Federated Farmers is a different beast than 12 to 18 months ago,” he said.

Saying that industry bodies such as Beef & Lamb NZ and Federated Farmers had not been performing that well under the Labour Government, he said if they can now get all of the farmers in one spot doing all of the talking, they might get somewhere.

“It’s about joining what we are with the same voices.  It’s a slow process but it’s good that we have a better relationship and can talk to them now.

“They haven’t had a voice for some time (Fed Farmers).  We think they were falling all over the past Government.”

Groundswell NZ is sitting quietly waiting to see if the newly elected Government will rewrite some of the regulations that they believe have been hampering  farmers’ ability to run their businesses.

“I think members would think it would be a disservice if we wound up.  We’ve become a bit of a watchdog.”

It all started with a tractor protest in Gore, but with overwhelming national support they managed to make history with the Howl of a Protest (2021), The Mother of All Protests (2022) and most recently in October 2023 (Drive For Change).

The Groundswell NZ movement continues to seek solutions to environmental issues.

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