National to negotiate fertiliser security deals, offer $300m water storage loans

The National Party will negotiate fertiliser security agreements with key supply countries and commit $300 million in loans to increase water storage for farmers, if elected. 

National’s agriculture spokesperson Todd McClay said water was one of the country’s greatest strategic and natural advantages. New Zealand receives more rainfall per person than almost any developed nation, yet only around 2% is captured each year. 

“When farmers and growers have reliable water, they produce more, take on more staff and more money flows into the local town, which means more jobs and stronger exports,” McClay said. 

McClay said National would commit $300m in concessional loans to get water storage built if elected in November, starting in Northland, Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Canterbury. 

National said it would also develop the country’s first long-term water infrastructure pipeline in partnership with farmers, growers, councils and iwi. It would also publish a rural and provincial water-use strategy in 2027, which would include a national storage register. 

On fertiliser, National has promised to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty. This comes after significant disruptions to shipping routes, global fertiliser prices and availability amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 

Associate agriculture spokesperson Mike Butterick said without reliable access, the farm sector would not be able to sustain its current production base. 

“New Zealand plans for fuel security and energy security. National believes we should also plan for fertiliser security to protect New Zealand’s productive economy,” he said. 

The party would also, if elected, create a $10m fund to partner with domestic fertiliser manufacturers to support pathways for long-term domestic nitrogen production and the transition from natural gas to electrification. 

“National will prioritise reducing reliance on imports and improve certainty of availability for our farmers.” 

Earlier today, the Act Party announced it would campaign on ensuring agriculture remained a curriculum subject for Year 11 students. 

The party’s agriculture spokesperson Andrew Hoggard said he had written to Education Minister Erica Stanford seeking confirmation it would remain a standalone subject for Year 11 students. 

“I’m gutted to learn this isn’t the case,” he said. 

“We’re a food- and fibre-producing nation, so learning about our biggest exporter shouldn’t be an unconventional subject.” 

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.