The use of quality farmland for solar power sites has come under the microscope in the Lower North Island. 
A number of conversions are proposed across the region via the Government’s fast-track programme for infrastructure, housing and development projects with “significant regional or national benefits”. 
Consent to convert dairy land to solar farms was previously processed by councils, giving consideration to the Government’s National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land. 
This requires the country’s most productive land to be identified and managed to prevent “inappropriate” subdivision, use and development. 
Approval was granted in August, subject to conditions, to construct and operate a solar farm near Foxton across about 400ha. 
Two other applications for solar farms in the Manawatū-Rangitīkei region are going through the fast-track process, plus one in Taranaki. 
One is the proposed Rangitīkei Solar Farm near Marton, another covers 433ha at Bunnythorpe, and the third covers 150ha near Huirangi. 
In 2024, consent was granted to build a solar farm on about 180ha near Ōpunake in South Taranaki. 
Other solar developments include a proposed 450ha solar farm at Stratford and a 48ha project at Kaponga. 
Manawatū-Rangitīkei Federated Farmers’ Meat & Wool chairman Ben McDougall said much of this development in the Lower North Island was proposed for highly productive class 1 and 2 farmland. 
Acknowledging New Zealand needed more electricity and that solar energy had an important role to play, he said solar farms could be built relatively quickly, had comparatively low construction costs, and produced electricity without operational emissions. 
“Our concern is not solar energy itself, but where these developments are being located,” he said. 
“In our view, large solar farms should not be built on productive Class 1 and 2 farmland; this is some of New Zealand’s most versatile and valuable land. 
“It grows vegetables and crops, feeds livestock, and produces high-quality pasture. 
“Once large areas are committed to solar generation, that productive capacity may be unavailable for decades.” 
While solar infrastructure may technically be removable, he said restoring land to its previous productive condition might not be simple, quick or guaranteed. 
McDougall didn’t blame farmers for considering these opportunities. 
“The returns being discussed can be far greater and more reliable than what many properties could earn through farming,” he said. 
“Faced with rising costs, uncertain commodity prices, weather risks, and increasing regulation, accepting a long-term solar lease may be an entirely rational decision. 
But what makes sense for an individual landowner may not necessarily be in the country’s long-term interest.” 
McDougall said New Zealand needed renewable electricity, but it also needed food production and resilient rural communities. 

Taranaki Federated Farmers’ president Nick Brown. 
“Solar farms should be directed first towards less versatile land, industrial areas, rooftops, car parks, and sites close to existing electricity infrastructure.” 
“Where highly productive land is considered, decision-makers should require a strong assessment of alternatives, cumulative regional effects, drainage, soil protection, reversibility, and eventual decommissioning.” 
McDougall said the concern was not whether New Zealand should build solar farms. 
“It is whether we are sacrificing some of our best farmland because solar development offers an attractive short-term return,” he said. 
“Once that land is gone from production, it may be very difficult to get back. 
“I fear we are being short-sighted and that today’s financial gain could become tomorrow’s long-term pain.” 
Taranaki Federated Farmers’ president Nick Brown had a “balanced view” on the situation. 
“While solar farms are a little bit unsightly, farmers have the right to lease or sell their land as they see fit.” 
While there might be spin-offs for the local community involved during the construction phase, Nick said expertise “from outside” was often used. 
“When using farmland, I would need to see a solid argument for the net benefit to the community,” he said. 
“There is real potential for it to get out of control. 
“Prime land is under threat.” 
While the fast-track process helps developers “get on with it”, Brown said this needed to be tempered with the benefits/effects of the particular project. 
He said the issue is one that Federated Farmers was monitoring closely. 
“It is front of mind.” 
National Federated Farmers board member and energy spokesman Greg Anderson said the organisation generally favoured an approach of private property rights, that was, landowners should be able to determine the most productive use of their land. 
“Concerns arise where solar farms impact neighbours, for example, reverse sensitivity issues [when the presence of one land use reduces what another can do, e.g., limiting fertiliser application]. 
“Or, where government policy favours one land use over another.” 
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