AMINZ Supports Farmers, Advisers, and Mediators through the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme
Farm debt remains a concern across Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary sector. AMINZ Executive Director Monique Pearson and AMINZ Mediator and Arbitrator Mark Copeland will be leading a practical discussion for rural professionals about the Farm Debt Mediation (FDM) Scheme in the Institute of Rural Professionals’ upcoming webinar. We ask Monique and Mark about the webinar and AMINZ's role in supporting farmers, advisers, and mediators, through the Scheme.
Kia ora Monique and Mark. Mark, can you first tell our readers a bit about the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme?
Mark Copeland (MC): The Farm Debt Mediation (FDM) Scheme helps farmers and their lenders – typically banks – negotiate workable agreements around a farm’s strained business debt. Using an experienced, independent mediator, the process is confidential, which allows all parties to speak openly and honestly about their concerns and objectives. Farm debt mediation is efficient, fair, and effective, and the agreements reached are generally legally binding.
Monique, who is this webinar for?
Monique Pearson (MP): It’s designed to be a practical session for farmers, advisers, and dispute resolution professionals. Despite current good farmgate prices, farm indebtedness remains high across New Zealand, so we encourage anyone who wants to learn more about this unique mediation process and the Scheme to attend.
What can participants expect to gain from attending?
MC: As Monique has said, it will be a practical session so participants can be fully informed about the FDM Scheme, and from their own perspective – for instance a farmer may want to know about their rights, practical tools for the mediation, and what they could be eligible for in terms of financial support. We’ll be covering the different parties’ roles and actions to give the best chance of a constructive outcome through farm debt mediation.
MP: We’ll also be talking about AMINZ’s role in supporting mediators and participants across Aotearoa and providing insights into best practice and effective engagement.
Mark, you mention practical tools for the farmer for mediation, and financial support. Can you share a bit more about this?
MC: For example, there are various resources available from agricultural support organisations like the Rural Support Trust, to help the farmer prepare.
In terms of financial support, MPI provides a Mediation Hardship Fund to help farmers who might want to use, or who have agreed to participate in, the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme but can't afford the cost. So I’ll be talking more about this and the eligibility criteria.
Monique, can you tell us a bit more about what role AMINZ plays in supporting mediators, farmers, and advisers through the Scheme?
MP: AMINZ delivers the most up to date information about the FDM Scheme and support services for farmers, in collaboration with MPI. We provide education seminars and webinars for mediators who want to learn more about the farm debt mediation.
AMINZ is one of just two organisations approved by MPI to grant formal authorisation to mediate under the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme. Mediators who meet MPI’s requirements can apply through AMINZ to become recognised Farm Debt Mediators.
We host our annual Rural Day which is an opportunity to address some of the most pressing issues facing the farming sector. We’re really looking forward to Rural Day 2026 and will be announcing the date for that soon!
The Introduction to AMINZ and the Farm Debt Mediation (FDM) Scheme webinar is on Thursday 13 November, 4-5pm. Learn more and register on the Institute of Rural Professionals New Zealand website.
