Farmers turn central Blenheim into rural protest site

Friday, 16 July 2021

Farmers came from around Marlborough into central Blenheim on Friday to add their concerns to a national protest over Government policies.

Utes, tractors, and dogs turned central Blenheim into a noisy, rural setting for the Howl of a Protest.

Organisers estimated at least 1000 people were in Seymour Square for the Marlborough branch of the nationwide protest on Friday morning. Two convoys of tractors, utes and other vehicles converged in the central business district from Westwood and Riverlands.

National leader Judith Collins joined the protest convoy as it gathered at the Westwood business park.

Tractors, utes and dogs converged on Seymour Square to protest against “unworkable regulations”.

“I am here to support farmers and the rural people in New Zealand,” she said, before getting into the back of a ute towing a trailer with a digger on it.

Farmers gather at the Westwood business park on Friday morning before heading in convoy to central Blenheim for the Howl of a Protest.

National Party leader Judith Collins joined the Blenheim rural protest in a ute, towing a digger, and then shook paws with a farm dog.

“I will make it really clear: the next National government will not have the ute tax and won’t go after those people.

* Tractors, utes and dogs expected in Blenheim's CBD for protest

Organisers estimated a thousand people converged in central Blenheim for the protest.

Farmers were invited to come along with their dogs for a “howl of protest”.

“We won’t go after people who grow things, make things and help our economy grow.”

When the convoys reached Seymour Square about 20 farm dogs were encouraged to add their howls to the protest.

In front of the Blenheim War Memorial, Collins told the crowd: “You are the people who feed us, no farmers, no food. Thank you Groundswell for your work, it is your day, I am so proud of you.

“A cenotaph is the perfect place to be talking about freedom, to own your own land, to do what you need to do.

“But it is also it is a perfect place to talk about freedom of speech, get out there, the government must listen now, surely.”

Farmers, mayors and tradies gather around Seymour Square.

MacKenzie District Council mayor Graham Smith said it was time “to put our spade in the ground and say these are our rights, this is democracy, this is what we stand for, you are the farmers and the rural areas who built this country.'

Farm worker John Jully, 64, travelled from St Arnaud with his ute to join the convoy.

“Enough is enough,” Jully said. “The ute tax is the last straw. The three waters is a big issue for farmers. I work on a farm in St Arnaud and it will cost them a million dollars to change their fences.

“The protest is the only way to make public the farmers plight. Wellington is not listening to the farmers.”

Frederik Sorenson, 32, brought his tractor along.

He works on a farm between Havelock and Blenheim.

“I am here because of the lack of co-operation with farmers from the Government and councils,” he said.

“It feels good to see all those people this morning, good to see the community support.”

The “ute tax” on high emission vehicles drew particular criticism.

Julie Greer, who has a grape farm in Blenheim, came to the protest with her 10 and 12-year-old great nieces.

“I am here today because we need our truck to farm our grapes and I also wanted to show these girls that they can have a voice, peacefully.

“It is fabulous to see the all country gathered together.”

Ollie Duncan, 16, made the trip, driving his tractor to the Westwood meeting point.

“I don't think it's right that all the farmers and hard-working people in New Zealand are getting taxes for keeping the country running; it is unfair, and it is good to see so many people supporting the cause.”