Morrison new Feds Rangitikei president

Richard Morrison is the new Manawatu / Rangitikei Federated Farmers president.

Richard Morrison is the new Federated Farmers Manawatu / Rangitikei president.

The Marton man was voted in at the province's AGM this month and takes over from James Stewart.

Mr Morrison said it would be much of the same under his leadership and he wanted improve membership and member engagement.

"James has built up some really good relationships with some groups and worked really hard on the urban, rural divide," Mr Morrison said.

This year the Environment Court ruled Horizons Regional Council has not been correctly implementing rules around intensive agriculture under its One Plan and Mr Morrison said Federated Farmers would continue to talk with council about how that decision was implemented.

"I don't think anyone's got a handle on that," Mr Morrison said.

"We try and work closely with all councils and policy makers and try to be proactive and have workable solutions."

Mr Morrison farms sheep and beef between Marton and Hunterville and said the farming sector needed to focus on its message to the public.

"When stuff gets through the media, the ends of the spectrum get sensationalised a little bit and it isn't always constructive," he said.

"It's just about telling our stories and being positive about all the good stuff we're doing."
He believed efforts were being made on the environmental front.

"It just takes time and a lot of money... things like fencing off waterways. But that's happening and happening at a fast rate."