Federated Farmers National Council Meeting 2007

MEDIA ADVISORY
8 November 2007

Federated Farmers National Council Meeting 2007

Federated Farmers of New Zealand's National Council Meeting will be held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington on November 20 and 21 2007.

Highlights of the National Council meeting include speeches by:

• Federated Farmers' President Charlie Pedersen, who will speak on the right to farm and why the future of agriculture in New Zealand is under threat.

• Hon Dr Michael Cullen, Minister of Finance.

• Hon Trevor Mallard, Minister for the Environment.

• David Laurie, General Manager National Grid, Transpower.

• Basil Chamberlain, Chief Executive of Taranaki Regional Council – winner of the Top Council Award 2007

• Colin James, political commentator and journalist.

• National Board member Donald Aubrey will speak on the state of play in the South Island High Country.

About 60 delegates and observers are expected to attend the meeting of the National Council, the Federation's top decision-making group. The council comprises elected representatives of 24 provinces, seven industry groups, and also includes the seven-member National Board.

Members of the media are welcome to attend. Please note the meeting will go into committee from time to time, at which point you will be asked to temporarily leave the meeting.

Federated Farmers of New Zealand's National Council Meeting is generously sponsored by FMG, Telecom, Westpac, Transpower and Tenix.

A full agenda follows on below.

For more information:
Graeme Peters, general manager communications 04 494 9181 or 027 448 9170
Kara Wright, communications advisor, 04 470 2162, 027 226 0306

NATIONAL COUNCIL 2007
Order of Business/Timetable (subject to change)
Chair: Charlie Pedersen, President

DAY ONE: Tuesday 20 November 2007

9.10am Registration and morning tea

9.25am National Council Commences
President's welcome and housekeeping matters

9.30am Attendance Register; Apologies; Minutes of previous meeting; Matters arising; Additional agenda items; Call for general business

9:35am Industry Group Reports (taken as read):
• NZ Meat and Fibre Producers’ – Keith Kelly, Chair
• Grains Council – Andrew Gillanders, Chair
• Dairy Farmers of New Zealand – Frank Brenmuhl, Chair
• NZ Bee Industry Group – John Hartnell, Chair
• Mohair NZ– Dawn Pirani, Chair
• South Island High Country Committee – Donald Aubrey, Chair
• New Zealand Rural Butchers’ Association – Gibby Campbell, Chair

9:40am Provincial Reports (taken as read):
• Far North, Whangarei and Kaipara Districts – Denis Anderson
• Auckland - Keith Kelly
• Hauraki-Coromandel - John Sanford
• Waikato – Stew Wadey (for Peter Buckley)
• Gisborne/Wairoa - Jean Martin
• Hawke’s Bay - Committee
• Tararua – Andrew Day
• Taranaki - Bryan Hocken
• Manawatu/Rangitikei - Ruth Rainey
• Wairarapa – Anders Crofoot
• Nelson - Edwin Newport
• Marlborough – Geoff Evans
• North Canterbury – Chris Sundstrum
• Mid Canterbury - Rupert Curd
• South Canterbury - David Williams
• North Otago – Robert Borst
• Otago – Richard Burdon
• Southland - David Rose
• Wanganui – Brian Doughty
• Ruapehu – Richard Steele
• Bay of Plenty – Derek Spratt
• Golden Bay – Graham Ball
• West Coast, Rotorua/Taupo – no report submitted.

9:50am President’s address: Charlie Pedersen

10.00am Keynote speaker: Hon Dr Michael Cullen, Finance Minister
Topic: The changing expectations of agriculture in a global economy

10.45am Remits

11.15am Speaker: Donald Aubrey, South Island High Country Chair
Topic: State of play

11.35 am Remits

12.00pm Lunch

1.00pm Guest Speaker: Basil Chamberlain, Chief Executive, Taranaki Regional Council
Topic: The Taranaki Regional Council Approach. (Taranaki Regional Council won Federated Farmers’ Top Council Award 2007)

1.45pm Remits

2.30pm IN COMMITTEE - Strategy and Budget Session

5.00pm Close day one

6.00pm Cocktail Function – Icon

Including at 6:30pm: Launch of RMA booklet – Bruce McNab, National Board

7:30pm Dinner – One Red Dog, Waterfront (for delegates, at own cost).

NATIONAL COUNCIL 2007
Order of Business/Timetable (subject to change)
Chair: Charlie Pedersen, President

DAY TWO: Wednesday 21 November 2007

8.25am Early bird prize draw

8.30am Guest Speaker: Colin James, political commentator
Topic: The changing political landscape

9.15am Guest Speaker: David Laurie, General Manager National Grid, Transpower
Topic: Working Toward A Better Relationship

9.45 am Soap Box
An opportunity for delegates to talk for three minutes on issues they would like
to draw to other delegates’ attention, including issues from their industry group or provincial reports.

10.30am Morning Tea

10.45 am Speaker: Nick Clark, Manager, General Policy
Topic: General Policy - What we do for you?

11.00am Guest Speaker: Sam Robinson
Topic: What would be an appropriate meat industry strategy?

11.45 am Speaker: Andrew Gillanders, Chair, Grains Council
Topic: Outlook for the Arable Sector and what it means for other farmers

12.15 pm Speaker: Hon Trevor Mallard, Minister for the Environment

12.55 pm Lunch

2.00pm General business/remits

3.15pm Close of meeting

Ends

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