Agri-tourism and food
Agri-tourism and food are growing sectors in New Zealand. We have farm tourism where tourists are shown working farms with activities such as sheep dog and shearing exhibitions.
Rural
Private land with public access
Our ability to access the ‘great outdoors’ in New Zealand is seen as something of a citizen’s right. At times, however, It does conflict with the rights of private landowners when, in order to access the great outdoors, there is a need to cross their private land first.
Biosecurity in New Zealand
Biosecurity issues never seem to be far from the news these days. The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is responsible for biosecurity in New Zealand and gets its powers in relation to biosecurity under the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Contract of sale: standard or specific terms?
Farmers will know that making a sale is usually a significant deal, and you’ll want to get the best deal you can for the fruits of your labour. Does this mean you have to accept the purchaser’s ‘standard terms’ in the contract of sale? What are the implications of setting your own terms in a contract of sale?
Four key dates for farmers
As always, our legal champions endeavour to keep you informed of key dates ahead of time so you don’t get caught short when something changes. Here are four key dates to note in your calendar.
Alerts for farmers: employing workers and health and safety
In these rural briefs, we’re looking at the two hot topics for farmers this summer. The health and safety act is in force and the courts are issuing hefty penalties for non-compliance. We also have a warning about hiring casual help. Read on to avoid getting burned.
Loan documents: do you read the fine print?
How many of us actually read the fine print when signing a document? The old adage suggests we should and with good reason. If you run a farming operation, it’s very likely that you’ll need to borrow funds from one of New Zealand’s main trading banks. It’s also vital that you read the fine print to avoid some unpleasant surprises. Here’s a summary in larger, easier to read print.
The low-down on Farm Management Plans
As you’ll be aware from our article What does the Clean Water Package mean for farmers, raising the water standards in our rivers and lakes is going to have an impact on farm management. The government has charged the regional authorities with the job of implementing the water standards policy.
Four more hazards to note…
In these briefs, we have four updates on topics which also present potential risks and hazards for the unwary: new health and safety legislation coming into effect, claims against rural contractors, lease disputes, and bobby calf regulations. Make sure you’re familiar with these four points before they catch you unawares.
Fire!
Last year’s fire that spread through areas forested with pine trees was a good wake up call for people living in rural Hawke’s Bay. You need to prepare for fire danger.