Representatives from National, Labour, ACT, New Zealand First and the Green Party will go head-to-head in Hamilton next week as New Zealand's farming sector seeks answers on what each party would deliver for rural communities after the 2026 General Election.

HAMILTON: Rural policy is set to take centre stage on Wednesday, 30 September, when politicians from five major parties gather at Mystery Creek Events Centre for the Rural Issues Debate.

The event is being organised jointly by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ and Federated Farmers and will be moderated by broadcaster and columnist Heather du Plessis-Allan.

The political panel will feature:

  • Todd McClay – National

  • Jo Luxton – Labour

  • Andrew Hoggard – ACT

  • Mark Patterson – New Zealand First

  • Steve Abel – Green Party

The debate comes at a critical point in the election campaign, with New Zealanders heading to the polls on Saturday, 7 November 2026.

The Electoral Commission has confirmed advance voting begins on 26 October, while the final day to enrol is 25 October.

Rural New Zealand gets its own election debate

While the election campaign covers everything from health and housing to taxation and education, the Mystery Creek event is designed specifically around issues affecting farmers and rural communities.

That could put subjects including agricultural regulation, resource management, climate policy, international trade, water, infrastructure, productivity and the cost of doing business firmly under the spotlight.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland said farmers need greater predictability in the policy environment.

“We need predictability and certainty to help navigate the turbulent environment that we operate in, not policy swings,” Acland said.

B+LNZ says its priorities include maintaining and improving international market access and addressing supply-chain disruption affecting sheep and beef farmers and red-meat exporters.

The organisation has also welcomed progress in areas including resource-management reform and climate policy while signalling that it wants further work from whoever forms the next Government.

Farmers want detail, not just promises

Federated Farmers national president Colin Hurst said the debate would give politicians an opportunity to explain exactly what their policies mean for rural New Zealand.

“This debate is a great chance for politicians to front up to rural New Zealand and explain how their policies will affect the people who feed the country and drive a big part of our economy,” Hurst said.

He said farmers would be listening for detail about what parties intend to do, how much their proposals would cost and what the practical impact would be on rural businesses.

The debate takes place during the official regulated election period, which began on 7 August and continues until midnight on 6 November.

Dairy sector looking for confidence to invest

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown said farmers also need sufficient confidence and certainty to make long-term investment decisions.

DairyNZ's election priorities call for practical regulation, greater emphasis on science and innovation and policies designed to enable productivity improvements alongside continued environmental progress.

“When farming succeeds, rural communities thrive and New Zealand benefits through stronger exports, jobs and economic growth,” Brown said.

She said the debate would provide farmers with an opportunity to hear directly how the political parties intend to support those objectives if they are part of the next Government.

Five parties, different approaches

The presence of representatives from National, Labour, ACT, New Zealand First and the Greens means farmers will be able to hear contrasting approaches to agricultural and rural policy in the same forum.

The participants also bring direct experience of the primary-sector portfolio.

B+LNZ reported earlier this year that McClay, Luxton, Hoggard and Abel had addressed farmers at its Out the Gate conference as National's Agriculture Minister and the respective agriculture representatives for Labour, ACT and the Greens.

Mark Patterson will represent New Zealand First at the Mystery Creek debate.

Rather than determining which approach is preferable, the event will give rural voters an opportunity to compare the parties' stated policies, priorities and responses to questions from the sector.

Election campaign entering crucial period

The debate will take place immediately before another major election milestone.

Parliament is scheduled to dissolve on 1 October, the day after the Rural Issues Debate. Writ Day follows on 4 October, candidate nominations close at noon on 8 October and advance voting begins on 26 October. Election day is 7 November.

That timing puts the Mystery Creek debate firmly in the heart of the election campaign.

For farmers, growers and rural businesses, it will provide a dedicated opportunity to hear what five parties are proposing before voting begins.

How to watch

The Rural Issues Debate will be held before a live audience at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton on Wednesday, 30 September.

The debate will run from 7.30pm to 9pm and will also be livestreamed through the New Zealand Herald website.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is currently promoting the livestream through its official website.

With agriculture remaining a significant part of New Zealand's export economy and rural communities facing decisions around regulation, environmental policy, infrastructure and future investment, the debate gives the primary sector a chance to put its questions directly to those seeking political power.

Source: Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ and Federated Farmers media release, 23 September 2026; Electoral Commission. Reporting and additional context by Webfit News.