Media Release

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22 October 2013

Farmers asked to ‘Rally 4 Ruataniwha’ on Wednesday

Hawke’s Bay’s arable, sheep, beef and dairy farmers are being urged to show their support for the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme this Wednesday, 23 October.

“Federated Farmers is asking every farmer who can, to drive their ute to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in Napier on Wednesday in a Rally 4 Ruataniwha,” says Will Foley, Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay Provincial President.

“We want to rendezvous at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in Dalton Street at 8.45am, before attending the first meeting of the new Hawke’s Bay Regional Council at 9am.

“Ruataniwha is more than a future for farming in Central Hawke’s Bay.  It will prove the common sense of storing water and provides the hinge on the door for other schemes, like the Ngaruroro, to follow.

“While the Ruataniwha scheme has faced some flack, if it is lost, the Hawke’s Bay region can wave goodbye to any serious water storage proposals for a very long time.

“According to the council, the largest proportion of future land use being signed up for Ruataniwha is currently a mix of arable and red meat production.  Farmers want a vibrant Hawke’s Bay and a future for our kids and this is why Ruataniwha is so important,” Mr Foley said.

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council Mayor, Peter Butler, urged farmers in Central Hawke’s Bay to join Wednesday’s ‘Rally 4 Ruataniwha’.

“I want to ask the farmers and businesses who depend on farming to show their support by joining the rally,” His Worship the Mayor added.

“Ruataniwha is more than a scheme for Central Hawke’s Bay, it is a scheme that will benefit every person in our region.  Because councillors are elected to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council they need to think regionally and what is best for the region.

“I believe the ‘Rally 4 Ruataniwha’ will help remind old hands and newly elected councillors of this,” Mayor Butler concluded.

Details for Wednesday:

What:              Rally 4 Ruataniwha

When:             This Wednesday (23 October)

Where:            8.45am - Meet at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (159 Dalton Street, Napier)
9am – Attend the first meeting of the new Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

ENDS

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