The lasting memory is of anger laced with fear.
I began my journalism career in 1983, just in time to cover the heartache of farmers as they weathered the economic reforms unleashed by the David Lange-led Labour government.
Such was the pace and scale of change as subsidies and support payments were axed overnight, many farmers were financially hurting, they were angry, frightened and felt betrayed.
In my subsequent 38 years as a journalist I never again saw that level of sustained anger and frustration – until now.
Having watched the debate and attended two farmer meetings in the past week over the government’s response to He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), I am reminded of the level of hostility and fear of meetings and rallies I covered in Southland and Canterbury from 1984 to 1987.
The farmers’ response is perhaps understandable, given that government modelling shows that if adopted, its proposal could cause what can only be described as a drastic 20% decline in sheep and beef production.
But there is one significant difference from 40 years ago.
The architects of the 1984 reforms, Roger Douglas, Richard Preeble and David Caygill, fronted farmers to explain why they were making these cuts.
I recall them standing stoic and unflinching in front of hundreds of farmers baying for blood at a meeting at the Christchurch Show Grounds.
They believed they were right, defended their decision – and history will show they eventually won the support of most farmers.
Jacinda Ardern, Damien O’Connor, James Shaw and their officials have not fronted farmers since announcing their response to HWEN, despite the prime minister labelling climate change her generation’s nuclear-free moment.
We are constantly reminded that agriculture accounts for 48% of our greenhouse gas emissions, so why are they not trumpeting this solution from the roof tops?
If they truly believe they are right, as Douglas, Preeble and Caygill did 40 years ago, why aren’t they selling it to the sector?
The reality is their response to HWEN is a significant departure from the original document presented by the 11-party primary sector group, but instead of the government explaining its reasoning, farmers have to find out by reading two 100-page technical reports.
Having created this poisoned chalice, the government has casually left it to the chair of Beef + Lamb NZ, Andrew Morrison, and Dairy NZ chair Jim van der Poel, to weather an onslaught of anger and abuse from their sector groups.
Placating statements in the media from O’Connor that the final policy will not be as severe as the proposal ring hollow without additional commentary and explanation.
In the 1980s the Lange government was delivering brutal medicine to right a sinking New Zealand economy.
Ardern rates climate change an even greater threat, but such is the silence from Wellington and the depth of anger and fear among farmers, a satisfactory agreement appears difficult to reach.
