Groundswell in town

The three tractors which spent eight days travelling from Invercargill to Auckland lead the protest down Alexandra St in the rain.

“We’re apolitical… that means we don’t tell anyone how to vote.”

Despite that statement from Bryce McKenzie – one of Groundswell New Zealand’s founders – there were clear agendas expressed when the organisation’s “drive for change” protest rolled through Cambridge and Te Awamutu on Saturday.

In Te Awamutu as rain fell, McKenzie addressed a crowd of about 100 people in Arawata St.

He and Laurie Paterson, a fellow founder of the lobby group, completed an eight-day journey from Invercargill to Auckland later that day.

The Te Awamutu protest was led by Groundswell New Zealand organiser Lee Smith.

A sign on one of the first utes to pull into the car park read “No farms, no future”. Other signs present were more pointed – taking swipes at Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and agriculture minister Damien O’Connor.

From Arawata St the three tractors which made the journey from Invercargill then led dozens of utes on a lap of Alexandra St, before
the convoy made its way to Hamilton.

Smith told The News the country’s biggest income earner was being targeted by a government which had no understanding of the practicalities of farming… “and because of that we’re clearly seeing a decline in farmers’ mental health”.

She said “unwarranted attacks” on the rural sector was discouraging the next generation of farmers from entering the industry.

Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board deputy chair Kane Titchener was among the crowd which gathered on Arawata St.

He told The News farmers’ concerns about “excess regulations” were not being listened to.

“Yes, it’s time for change,” he said.