Farmers are taking to the streets today to take part in a nationwide movement organised by the Groundswell NZ lobby group.

The movement is calling for people to back food producers by showing up to their town centre en masse.

Like the rest of the country, the Bay of Plenty has many protesters descending on the streets in tractors, utes and on foot later this evening.

One Te Puke protester told SunLive they are participating in the movement as they "are already taxed too much".

"Every time you earn a dollar, it is taxed, then you spend it, and it gets taxed again."

Fellow Te Puke protester Pat Caulfield says they are here to "take a stand on democracy" and ask "where is the money?".

Protesters Dave Mitchell, left, and Pat Caulfield. Photo: Felicity Alquist.

Another Te Puke protester, Allen Coster, says the tax proposal is "unworkable" and "unfair".

"We're the only country in the world proposing to tax farmers," says Allen.

"Our contribution to the world's methane is a teaspoon compared to the world swimming pool. The system they are using overestimates the true output by 400%

"We farm in NZ on grass which takes out the carbon."

Photo: Felicity Alquist.

"We don't believe the carbon is taking out global warming. It is a natural phenomenon. It is a money making venture and looking for a way to control us. Labour want to be the first in the world.

"Proposing 20% reduction to farm crop, allowing big corporates oversees to offset pollution by buying perfectly good hill country farm and planting pine trees."

Photo: Felicity Alquist.

In Waihi, a similar scene is unfolding with protesters bringing tractors, utes and cars to the CBD.

Video: Matt Nicholson.