The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme

Helping farmers with debt

The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme helps farmers and other primary producers struggling with debt. The scheme uses neutral and independent mediators to help farmers and their creditors work through debt issues.

The aim is to provide a negotiation process that is:

structured
confidential
impartial.

This will help farmers and creditors agree on how to proceed.

Under the Farm Debt Mediation Act 2019, secured creditors must offer mediation before taking any debt enforcement action against farmers and eligible primary production businesses. Farmers can ask for mediation at any time.

The mediation scheme aims to promote the long-term viability and resilience of farm businesses. This will also help the primary sector as a whole. Helping farmers manage financial stress promotes positive mental health and resilience in rural communities.

Download our Farm Debt Mediation Scheme fact sheet [PDF, 460 KB]

Eligibility for the mediation scheme

The scheme is open to people involved in primary production businesses. This includes any business that mainly produces unprocessed materials. This can be through agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, or apiculture. It includes sharemilkers.

Types of loans covered

The scheme covers debts owed by a primary production business in connection with primary production activities. This includes loans secured against:

farmland
farm machinery and livestock
harvested crops and wool.

Exclusions

The scheme doesn't apply to:

lifestyle farming
forestry
mining
wild harvest fishing
the hunting or trapping of animals.

The scheme excludes any business that primarily provides materials or labour as a service to the primary sector.

Find out how the scheme works

Benefits of farm debt mediation

The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme creates a safe environment for farmers. It gives them a chance to talk constructively with creditors as they work through debt problems.

There can be a significant power imbalance when farmers deal with creditors. Mediation creates a more level playing field.

The scheme allows parties to explore options for turning things around. If it cannot save the farm business, it can allow farmers to make a dignified exit.

Lenders view it positively as it provides a transparent process for working through debt issues.

The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme ensures that qualified and competent mediators are delivering services. It promotes a consistent, quality-led approach to the mediation process for all parties.

For mediation organisations taking part, the scheme provides a new, standardised process.

Implementation of the scheme

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) administers, promotes, and monitors the scheme. It is responsible for:

evaluation and reporting
setting rules
approving mediation organisations (which oversee mediators)
making sure farmers are connected with mediation services
connecting farmers to other financial support where needed.

The Farm Debt Mediation Act 2019

The Farm Debt Mediation Act 2019 was enacted on 13 December 2019. The Act came fully into force on 1 July 2020.

The scheme was consulted on widely. People from the farming, lending, and mediation sectors contributed to the scheme's design. A range of people made submissions on the legislation as it went through Parliament.

The Farm Debt Mediation Act 2019 – NZ Legislation

Media release: New scheme for financially distressed farmers – NZ Government