Pressing Issues from the Farmers’ Perspective Explored in Rural Day

This year’s Rural Day will address some of the most pressing issues facing the farming sector, with a focus on resolving disputes constructively, fairly, and with long-term outcomes in mind.  

Key topics include relationships, mental wellbeing, and the ongoing sustainability of rural businesses and communities. 

Law firm Tavendale + Partners are back as platinum partners, with Business and Strategy Adviser Guy Polson and Partner Matt Davidson discussing mediation from a farmer’s perspective.   

Matt Davidson explains: “We’re looking at the farm debt mediation process from the farmers’ perspective. Their understanding of the process and the stresses it places on them, as a business and as individuals, is important and in our view is a topic that needs to be discussed fully and openly.” 

The programme will also feature a discussion led by Sarah Jaggs from the Office of Farm Debt Mediation, Ministry of Primary Industries, on the latest key trends shaping rural dispute resolution.  

Other confirmed speakers include a range of farm debt mediators, conciliators, supervisors, agricultural and dairy consultants, and land specialists including Penny Mudford, Roy Johnson, Kim Robinson and Mark Copeland. They will be breaking down how the dispute resolution process works in practice, in a Conciliation in Action panel discussion. 

AMINZ Rural Day is the only event in Aotearoa New Zealand dedicated to dispute resolution in the rural sector. “Whether you’re a farmer, lender, insurer, lawyer or rural advisor, this day is for you,” says Executive Director Monique Pearson. “The rural sector is at the heart of our economy, and this unique event is a chance to explore the real-world challenges of resolving disputes in this sector.” 

The event is taking place at Hamilton’s Ruakura Conference Centre on Thursday 1 May, with the option to join online. Find out more and register.