Talking Dairy: How our collective strength helps shape practical regional policy | Ep. 106

Regional rules might feel like they’re made a long way from the farm gate – yet they directly affect how you farm every day. From nutrient limits to land use rules, the decisions made at your regional council table can change what you can and can’t do on-farm. In this episode, you’ll hear from some of DairyNZ’s regional policy team – David Cooper, Carina Ross, and Shaun Hazelton – on the big changes happening in policy right now and why your voice matters in these processes. Hear how DairyNZ is collaborating and working for dairy farmers to make sure rules are informed by research and grounded in reality, and how that protects your ability to farm productively and sustainably into the future. Since we recorded this episode, there’s been a win for farmers on two issues that DairyNZ has been advocating behind the scenes on: 1. More common-sense rules for low-risk activities The government has changed the Resource Management Act so regional councils can set rules that let some low-risk farm activities go ahead without needing a consent, as long as they still help improve water quality over time. This means councils like Waikato and Southland can follow through on their original plans to keep things simple for low-risk activities, instead of farmers getting caught in unnecessary red tape. 2. Breathing space for Otago water permits In Otago, some water permits will now be automatically extended for five more years. They’ve also removed rules around certain discharges that simply couldn’t be put into practice. This takes pressure off until the new regional plan is in place – meaning farmers can keep operating without being stuck in limbo. Why it matters These changes are a direct result of ongoing advocacy from DairyNZ and others. They give farmers more certainty, reduce paperwork, and mean the rules better reflect the realities on-farm – all while keeping the focus on improving water quality for the long term. Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 2:48 - What is regional policy and why it matters 4:27 - A week in the life of a policy planner 7:09 - Government pause on regional planning: What it means 10:07 - DairyNZ's role in Waikato Plan Change 1 14:39 - DairyNZ's role in Southland Water and Land Plan 19:04 - Bringing science-based farming knowledge into council spaces 22:17 - Common policy issues and how DairyNZ pushes back 23:54 - How farmers can make their voices heard 26:36 - DairyNZ's point of difference in advocacy 28:25 - What to do if you're feeling overwhelmed by policy changes 31:35 - Recording and recognising on-farm work 32:14 - Episode summary