Federated Farmers national president Wayne Langford.
Federated Farmers national president Wayne Langford.
Federated Farmers this week has marked a significant milestone in the organisation’s history: 125 years of proudly standing up for farmers.
Feds national president Wayne Langford said bringing together New Zealand’s different farming groups into one strong and united voice was no mean feat at the best of times.
“To have done it consistently for 125 years, through all of the challenges and opportunities that have come our way, is something Federated Farmers are incredibly proud of.
“We’ve been there with farmers through it all: the booms and busts of farming, different political cycles, market downturns, significant land use change, and the removal of subsidies.
“Different personalities and issues have come and gone, but our commitment to New Zealand’s farming families has never faltered.”
Former Feds Gisborne-Wairoa provincial president Toby Williams said his family had been farming in the region since just before the organisation came into existence.
Federated Farmers national meat and wool chair and former Gisborne-Wairoa provincial president Toby Williams, from Pihitia Station, at Whangara.
“Old diaries show how hard it was to farm, let alone deal the all the changing rules and regulations.
“It must have come as a relief for farmers to have an organisation set up to represent all their voices united together,” he said.
“It also great to have two current New Zealand board members in the region - Sandra Faulkner and myself.”
Williams is the Feds’ Meat and Wool chairman.
“We don’t think we had even one before and having two NZ board members is a real coup for the region.
“The region has been battered over the last few years and Feds have been at the forefront of fighting to make sure we get the recovery that we need.
“With our fencing give-away coming up in November it will be a fantastic way to celebrate 125 years with our loyal local members.
“It is exciting times at the moment with Feds, with great gains for farmers.
“We look forward to continuing the legacy for another 125 years,” Williams said.
Nationally the Federation’s roots go back to September 18, 1899, when the first Farmers’ Union branch was formed in Kaitaia by Northland dairy farmer Thomas Portland Smith.
A decade later, in 1910, similar manoeuvring was happening in Canterbury with the formation of the Sheep Owners’ Federation by Henry Acland, of Mt Peel station.
The New Zealand Farmers' Union conference in Wellington 1926.
The Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union meeting in Wellington also in 1926.
In the aftermath of World War 2, a significant milestone was reached as the Farmers’ Union and Sheep Owners’ Federated merged into a single body: Federated Farmers of New Zealand.
“Those forward-thinking farmers and early rural advocates were quick to recognise the need for farmers to come together as one unified voice,” Langford said.
“They knew that farmers and rural communities are so much stronger when we stand collectively, and that same approach couldn’t be more relevant in today’s political environment.
“That’s why whenever there’s an issue important to rural communities - whether that be banking, roading, or impractical farming rules - Federated Farmers are there as an advocate.”
Langford said that since the day the organisation was formed, they had played a significant role in New Zealand’s history that even critics and detractors found difficult to dismiss.
“Federated Farmers have one of the most recognisable, trusted and respected brands in the country - and that has taken time to build over the years.
“When I look back on some of the respected names to have gone through Federated Farmers leadership over the years, that’s a legacy I’m very, very proud to be a part of.”
