Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture, supports the Government’s targeted consultation with farmers and the

agriculture sector to ensure health and safety rules reflect the reality of life on New Zealand farms.

Lindy Nelson, Safer Farms chair, says kids are a vital part of farm life, but safety comes first.

“Children are part of our farming DNA, we all want to raise strong, smart, rural kids, and we want them home safe every night.

“Children are the next generation of farmers. It’s natural and important that they’re involved, but farms are also workplaces, and kids must be kept safe around machinery, animals, and busy operations. Farm life should be fun and formative, not frightening or risky.

“That’s why we welcome the commitment from Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden to practical safety changes on family farms.

“These proposed changes can support that goal by making expectations clear, and by reinforcing the role we all play in protecting our own.

“We look forward to contributing to the Government’s targeted consultation to ensure the new codes of practice reflect a collaborative effort across the sector to design harm out of farming for good.

“Through the Farm Without Harm strategy, Safer Farms is proud to be part of this sector wide effort.

“We’ve already seen what’s possible when farmers, industry, and government work together, like in our Safer Rides programme, initiated by Rabobank with support from

other funders, where over 130 crush protection devices were signed up for in just 36 hours.

“We encourage farmers to reflect on how harm happens and make practical changes that work for their farm. This isn’t about compliance, it’s about care."