Listen: Jacinda Ardern says Labour will defend farmers

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern. Photo / Michael Bradley/Getty Images

With news of Labour's proposed water tax and the Greens' nitrate levy there is a growing concern among the rural community that a Labour-Green government will be anti-farming.

Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern denied that her government would be detrimental to farmers when she spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay today.

Ardern says issues like water quality and climate change can affect New Zealand's international reputation and that "farmers trade on our brand."

Labour is focused on improving New Zealand's environmental record because "brand matters" says Ardern.

"Our farmers need us to defend that brand. This is not them and us."

Listen to Jacinda Ardern talk about farming in the edited Soundcloud embed below:

Also in today's interview Jacinda Ardern defended her stance on national super along with her party's fiscal policy.

You can hear the Labour leader's full interview with Jamie Mackay in the Soundcloud embed below: