Spring is here which means the start of the A&P show season. Those treasured community days where town meets country. There’s no rural-urban divide here, just a chance to meet up with family and old friends and celebrate all things that make rural New Zealand so special.
I’m embarking on weekly visits to shows around the country starting with the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay shows, both very well attended and well run. Congratulations to both committees, the huge amount of work has really paid off.
I’m pleased to report what seems like a genuine lift in sentiment after a couple of really rough years for our primary sector. Product prices are lifting as inflation and interest rates are falling. And of course, we now have a Government more attuned to rural New Zealand and a more sensible regulatory approach. Farmers understand we have their backs.
As a politician, A&P shows present a great opportunity to get a first hand account of what’s actually happening on the ground from a wide variety of farmers and businesses all in one place.
I’m especially pleased to see the wool sector has been exceptionally well represented and showcasing excellence in all its forms, from shearing and fleece competitions to showcasing innovative new products. There is a real sense of optimism that we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as consumers are increasingly rejecting the synthetics and again seeking out sustainable natural fibre products.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be at Ashburton, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Christchurch, West Otago and South Otago A&P shows. They’re a great family day out and I look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible.
