The National Party has outlined plans to secure New Zealand’s agricultural future through strategic investments and partnerships if elected in November. Key to their strategy is a $300 million commitment to concessional loans for water storage projects, starting in regions like Northland, Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and Canterbury. National’s agriculture spokesperson Todd McClay emphasized that reliable water access boosts farm productivity, creates jobs, and strengthens exports, noting that only about 2% of New Zealand’s abundant rainfall is currently captured.
National also plans to develop the country’s first long-term water infrastructure pipeline in collaboration with farmers, councils, and iwi. A rural and provincial water-use strategy, including a national storage register, is set to be published in 2027. On fertiliser, the party aims to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to safeguard against export restrictions and ensure supply chain stability, particularly amid disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Additionally, National would establish a $10 million fund to support domestic fertiliser manufacturers in transitioning from natural gas to electrification, reducing reliance on imports. Associate agriculture spokesperson Mike Butterick stressed the importance of fertiliser security for sustaining New Zealand’s production base. Meanwhile, the Act Party has separately pledged to advocate for agriculture as a mandatory Year 11 curriculum subject, highlighting its significance as a core sector of the economy.