A report claims that Groundswell, a lobby group representing farming interests, is linked to efforts to obstruct environmental improvements. The group is implicated in channeling dark money to influence a government review panel on methane reduction targets, raising concerns about political influence and regulatory capture in climate policy-making.

Groundswell, New Zealand's lobbying group for farmers, is credited with disrupting the traditional farming alliance by challenging long-held ties with the National Party and established farming bodies. This realignment signals a shift in rural political power and could lead to broader electoral changes.

In the 2023 Drive 4 Change event, Groundswell organized a protest convoy that traveled from Timaru to Christchurch and concluded at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland on October 1, 2023. The event featured appearances by ACT and New Zealand First leaders and communicated a message urging voters to 'vote for change' while critiquing government regulations on emissions and rural policies.

Groundswell, a New Zealand lobby group representing farmers, renewed its campaign against agricultural regulations, criticizing government policies including the pending greenhouse gas emissions tax under HWEN. The group argues that these regulations will drive up food prices and hinder efforts to manage the cost of living. Groundswell has also launched a petition gathering over 3000 signatures, and its co-founder Bryce McKenzie questioned why the government did not include all related measures in its policy revisions.

Groundswell, a New Zealand agricultural lobby group, organized a protest against a government farm-level emissions pricing scheme and made a clear effort to distance itself from Voices for Freedom, an anti-vaccination and oft-associated extremist group. The group’s leadership emphasized 'taking the high road' by dissociating from radical elements, despite crossover participation from Voices for Freedom supporters at the protest.

Groundswell staged large tractor protests against a range of government regulations covering freshwater management, indigenous biodiversity, climate change, and pastoral land reforms. One protest, known as the 'howl of a protest' held last July, was notably hijacked by anti-vaxxer and extremist elements, prompting the group to ban hate-filled signage. The group's actions, including labeling established agricultural lobby groups as 'pet lobby groups', have raised concerns over their challenge to progressive regulation designed to safeguard environmental and community well‐being.

On 16 July 2021, Groundswell staged protests in 57 cities across New Zealand to oppose government regulations on freshwater, indigenous biodiversity, climate change measures, and Three Waters reforms. The event was a loud, coordinated political action that challenged progressive regulatory policies intended to safeguard environmental and social rights.

Groundswell, a lobby group representing New Zealand farmers, staged major protests opposing regulations on freshwater, indigenous biodiversity, climate change, and pastoral land reforms. A notable protest last July was hijacked by extremist elements—including anti-vaxxers and individuals displaying anti-women and climate change denial messages—which forced the organizers to issue bans on extremist signage. This incident highlights problematic public political behavior that undermines unified progressive advocacy in the agricultural sector.