11 Sep 2017

Maniototo farmers challenge Ardern to visit them on water tax

From Checkpoint, 5:50 pm on 11 September 2017

A group of Central Otago farmers are challenging Jacinda Ardern to visit their farms to discuss Labour's water tax plans.

The group of women, known as Water Maniototo, say they cannot afford a royalty on irrigated water, planned at one to two cents per thousand litres of water, and it could drive some off their land.

Francine Hore, who farms sheep at Patearoa, says she supports fixing up the nation's waterways, but many farmers are doing everything they can already.

Ms Hore says Labour needs to front up, and the party should be going hard after farmers who are polluting waterways, instead of taxing farmers doing the right thing.

Watch the full video report here: