Farming lobby group Groundswell NZ has confirmed a second nationwide protest against what it says are “unworkable regulations”.

Groundswell NZ said the protest on Sunday November 21 will be of a scale and impact that will be significant in New Zealand’s history, calling it “the mother of all protests”.

The group is asking protesters to travel into their local town by 1pm on the day “in your ute, your tractor, your truck or car, or march along on foot if you wish”. At 1.35pm they are asking people to play radio station Newstalk ZB, which will broadcast a statement from Groundswell.

The plans follow the national Groundswell NZ ‘howl of a protest’ in July this year, which included a parade of more than 140 vehicles and supporters through the Wānaka CBD.

At that time Groundswell NZ called for a halt to all environmental regulations and gave the government an ultimatum that further action would be undertaken if “sufficient moves from the government” were not made to address concerns by August 16.

In response to the July protests, prime minister Jacinda Ardern said it was important the country stuck to the commitments it had made on freshwater and climate change, which would help New Zealand maintain the value of its exports.

Lake Hāwea farmer Richard Burdon said many local farmers are still concerned about the plans the government is looking at imposing. 

“They have not been well thought through,” Richard said. “The farming community is still keen to keep protesting until such time as the government is prepared to sit round the table and communicate better.”

Groundswell NZ spokesman Bryce McKenzie said there is widespread concern about various “unworkable regulations” being “rammed through” by the government.

“We are not against the need for regulation or the need to care for the environment”, Bryce said.

“We are saying there are much better, proven solutions to addressing environmental issues than the one size fits all approach being legislated by the government.”

Richard said protest activity in the Upper Clutha is yet to be confirmed.

Groundswell NZ is also planning a gathering at parliament in February 2022.

PHOTO: Wānaka App