Groundswell protest: Farmers against emissions plan converge on major centres

Farmers are out in force today in opposition to the Government’s livestock emissions plan.

The “We’re Not Going to Take It” nationwide protest is underway with utes, tractors, and trucks gathering in the country’s main centres.

Almost 60 convoys are planned around the country - some hit the road as early as 8am, and are now entering the city centres.

(Article continues below live blog)

In Auckland, convoys will meet at Pukekohe at 8am before hitting the road. The plan is for the protesters to cross the Harbour Bridge at 11am and meet at Victoria Park at midday.

In Wellington, convoys from Wairarapa and Lower Hutt will head through central Wellington from 11.30am.

In Christchurch, convoys from Greymouth, Hokitika, Westport, Timaru, Ashburton, Leeston, Rolleston, Darfield, Rangiora and Amberley will descend on Hagley Park at midday.

In Dunedin, convoys from Gore, Balclutha, Lawrence, Roxburgh, Milton and Oamaru will converge at Mosgiel, heading to Queen's Park.

Groundswell organiser Bryce McKenzie said while participants are being urged to be considerate, people need to remember tractors can only travel so fast.

'We want city people to understand what is going on'

McKenzie describes the proposal as the country's "nuclear moment".

He wants to get the message out to other New Zealanders and isn't holding his breath the Government will change its mind.

He told TVNZ's Breakfast show this morning that today's plan was about getting people in the city educated about their plight.

"In a big way, this is an educational plan, because we want city people to actually understand what is really going on.

"This isn't as plain as: 'Let's just do this and this...and it'll stop climate change'. There's no guarantee this is going to do anything.

"Even our Agricultural Minister, Damien O'Connor, said it could increase greenhouse gases. So we just want to educate the city people that this is really in our faces and we have to do something about it."

The world-first emissions scheme will see farmers paying for agricultural emissions in some form by 2025 and is out for consultation.

The Herald previously reported farming lobby groups see it as a step too far, saying it will only push emissions offshore, while environmental groups say it does not go far enough.

McKenzie previously called the emissions pricing plan an "assault on food production and rural communities".

He said it was punitive and counterproductive.

McKenzie said the Government's own statistics showed the plan would reduce production for sheep and beef farmers by up to 20 per cent, and by 6 per cent for dairy farmers.

A consultation document said the plan would be introduced in just three years and was expected to be signed off by Cabinet in 2023.

The system of farmgate pricing has been worked on since 2019 after calls from the sector to have a farmgate emissions pricing system that would reward climate-friendly farmers.

The Government has committed to a 10 per cent reduction in methane emissions from agriculture and landfills by 2030, going up to a 24-47 per cent reduction by 2050, compared to 2017 levels. It comes alongside a net-zero emissions target for 2050.

McKenzie said emission reductions in New Zealand would be replaced by farms overseas.

"After years of faux consultation, the Government has given up on all pretence of a fair and workable agricultural emissions policy.

"Their emissions reductions will be replaced by less efficient foreign farmers due to emissions leakage."

McKenzie said "most New Zealanders" opposed reducing livestock numbers to meet emissions reduction targets.

"And now we're going to remind the Government how New Zealand pays its way in the world."

McKenzie asked anyone involved in the protest to respect private property and support local businesses.