Neo-liberal agricultural discourse in New Zealand: Economy, culture and politics linked

Based upon a detailed reading of various texts emanating from the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, this paper considers the ways in which this farm o rganization has acted as a conduit between farmers and broader economic, cu ltural and political institutions and structures influencing New Zealand ag riculture. These texts portray the Federation as an articulate partner in w ider constructions of a neo-liberal discourse, which champions the market f or its 'freedom' and 'efficiency' and denigrates the state for its 'distort ions' and 'backwardness.' More generally, this reading shows how agricultur e is a culturally constructed sector where influential political and econom ic philosophies can become naturalized and accepted as 'truth.'.