In late May, the mayors in mid-Canterbury declared a local state of emergency due to the significant flooding affecting the region. Then, in mid-July, a local state of emergency was declared in the Westport area. Many people are curious about what this entails and to understand the powers given to the authorities in a local state of emergency. We explain… Read more…

In order to address an acute shortage of experienced dairy sector workers, in June the Minister of Agriculture approved a Class Border Exception for 200 migrant dairy farm workers, along with their families, to enter New Zealand. There were 150 positions available for herd managers or assistant farm managers and 50 farm assistants. In addition, 50 general practice vets (and their families) were granted exemptions to enter New Zealand.  Read more…

On 31 May, the Climate Change Commission provided Parliament with its final advice on the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme before the government sets the first of three emissions budgets later this year. In this advice there was significant consideration on land use and the impacts of afforestation. Read more…

What does 'alienation' mean in this context?

There are significant amounts of Maori land in New Zealand in productive rural areas. Much of this land is farmed by way of lease, sometimes in conjunction with adjoining general freehold land. Sometimes these 'joint' farms have been farmed in this way for generations. Read more…

What are they? Should I be concerned?

The identification of 'Significant Natural Areas' has been in the news lately. How are these areas defined and what are the implications for rural landowners? Read more…

The National Environmental Standards for Freshwater Regulations 2020 came into force on 3 September 2020. Read more…