Young farming leader has 'seen the other side'

This article was originally written by Federated Farmers for Farmers Weekly

Having worked for the council and seen how it operates, Ben Fraser is now well positioned to advocate for farmers on local government matters.

Some might call it a case of gamekeeper turned poacher, but Ben Fraser reckons his shift from council advisor to farming advocate is more the other way around.

The 29-year-old is now provincial president of Whanganui Federated Farmers, but three years ago was working as a freshwater advisor for Horizons Regional Council.

“I’ve been on the other side of the fence, I’ve seen how it works, and I know all too well about the churn of bureaucracy,” he says.

“I’ve also seen how the council operates when it comes to engaging with farmers, and I can tell you, I’m much better suited to sitting on this side of the fence.

“Most of the issues are largely the same, like freshwater rules, but now I really feel like I’m fighting for farmers, making sure the rules are practical, fair and affordable.”

Fraser, a sheep and beef farmer on his family’s two properties in Ohakune and Raetihi, stepped into the role of president earlier this year.

But his path into farming, and eventually farming leadership, took a few turns first.

Having grown up on the family farm, Fraser headed to Canterbury to study chemistry, then spent three years working in irrigation.

“That made me realise just how big an issue water allocation, water quality and consenting are in the South Island,” he says.

“So, I went back to Lincoln University to do a postgrad in water resource management, and I also dabbled in environmental law.”

That study opened a door for him to return to Whanganui, where he stepped into a freshwater role with Horizons that was “eye-opening”, he says.

“It was an interesting insight into the running of regional councils, and their processes, which is a lot different to the farm back home.

“I saw inefficiencies there. If it were run like a business, you’d go broke pretty quickly.”

Fraser says he soon realised his main motivation in the council role was to help farmers.

“Coming from a farming background, I could actually understand the issues in a practical way and try to help farmers navigate the world of bureaucracy.

“I far preferred me being there than someone who didn’t have a clue about farming, pointing to the rulebook and saying, ‘this is what you can and can’t do’.”

Fraser believes his time at the council has given him a unique perspective that’s now useful as an advocate for farmers.

“I’ve had a real insight into the inner workings of those council processes,” he says.

“While we don’t always have control of those processes, we can be strategic about how we work around them and advocate for farmers.”

He says councils are often constrained by things outside of their control – but there are plenty of good people working on the ground.

“There are some great people out there who come from farming backgrounds, but they’re often restricted by processes, management or, effectively, the council.”

Fraser has continued helping farmers in his spare time since leaving the council, with a side business that sees him guiding people through farm assurance programmes.

In his Federated Farmers role, he’s been fortunate to have some highly experienced Feds leaders showing him the ropes since he became president.

“I’ve got some great farmers supporting me, like Grant Adkins and Mike Cranstone, and I’ve been learning a lot from them.

“It’s been a steep learning curve but I’m absolutely loving it and taking it all in.

“What I really want to do in this role is channel the grassroots voices of farmers in Whanganui to achieve some better freshwater rules with Horizons.”

Federated Farmers has been getting some positive results locally, he says.

“We recently had a great turnout of farmers calling for Horizons to delay introducing new freshwater rules until 2026/27, when a new national direction will be in place.

“Council heard our message loud and clear, and the new rules have been delayed.

“That’s a huge win and should give farming families some breathing room.”

He says the need for Federated Farmers at the local level has never been stronger.

“When you work for council, you see just how many other groups are in there pushing their views, like Forest and Bird or Fish and Game.

“We need Federated Farmers in there too, offering that farmer perspective, and bringing some balance to the debate.

“That’s the real value of your membership fee. We’re in those rooms most farmers don’t have time or energy to be in, making sure you can keep on farming.”