Category: agriculture
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RNZ Interview Dropout Highlights Rural Connectivity Concerns
A live interview on RNZ’s Nine to Noon highlighted Federated Farmers’ concerns regarding poor rural connectivity and Chorus’s phasing out of copper lines. During the interview, Federated Farmers rural connectivity spokesperson Mark Hooper experienced connection issues from his Taranaki dairy…
Science & TechnologyBusinessMediaAgricultureComputers and Internet RNZFederated Farmersrural connectivityChorusMark HooperTaranakiNine to Noon
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Hawke’s Bay Farmer Slams Carbon Forestry Rules
A Hawke’s Bay farmer has criticised the government's carbon forestry rules, claiming they fail to adequately protect productive farmland from being converted into carbon forests. Anthea Yule, Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay meat & wool chair, expressed disappointment with the recommendations…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnvironmentAgriculture Hawke’s Baycarbon forestryFederated FarmersAnthea YuleEnvironment Select CommitteeEmissions Trading SchemeLand Use
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Federated Farmers Accuses Greenpeace of Misleading Public on Glyphosate
Federated Farmers has accused Greenpeace of spreading misinformation and fear regarding glyphosate levels in New Zealand's food system. According to Federated Farmers, Greenpeace is misleading the public with alarmist headlines that lack scientific basis. David Birkett, Federated Farmers arable chair,…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessScience & TechnologyAgricultureEnvironmentSocial Issues Federated FarmersGreenpeaceglyphosateDavid Birkettfood safetyMinistry for Primary Industries
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New Zealand Business Price Indexes Rise in June 2025 Quarter
Statistics New Zealand reported that in the June 2025 quarter, the output Producers Price Index (PPI) increased by 0.6 percent, while the input PPI also rose by 0.6 percent. The Farm Expenses Price Index (FEPI) saw a rise of 0.5…
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Media Monitor: RNZ on Parliament Sprinkler Risk, Cold Case
Radio New Zealand is reporting that a Treasury report indicates Parliament's sprinklers are at risk of failing due to old, leaky pipework. Parliamentary Service acknowledged the risk but assured that the building's fire protection remains fully operational and compliant. In…
Politics and GovernmentScience & TechnologyBusinessSportWeatherLaw EnforcementAgricultureGeneral PoliticsLegal ParliamentSprinklersTreasury ReportDNAAlicia O'ReillyProtestsRugby ChampionshipRNZ News
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New Zealand Food Prices Increase 5.0 Percent Annually
Food prices in New Zealand have risen 5.0 percent in the year to July 2025, according to Stats NZ. This follows a 4.6 percent increase in the year to June 2025. All five food groups saw price increases compared to…
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Carbon Forestry Rules Still Too Lax, Says Federated Farmers
Federated Farmers has expressed disappointment with a report to Parliament regarding the regulation of carbon forestry, stating that it does not sufficiently prevent the expansion of pine forests on productive farmland in New Zealand. Forestry spokesperson Richard Dawkins said farmers…
Politics and GovernmentEnvironmentBusinessAgriculture Federated Farmerscarbon forestryRichard DawkinsEnvironment Select CommitteeEmissions Trading SchemeLand Use Capability
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New Seasonal Work Visas to Boost Agriculture
Federated Farmers reports that new seasonal work visas will provide farmers and growers with improved access to skilled staff for specialized roles. Karl Dean, Federated Farmers immigration and employment spokesperson, stated, "Once again this Government has listened carefully to what…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAgricultureEmployment and LaborTradeState Governments Federated Farmersseasonal work visasKarl DeanErica StanfordGlobal Workforce Seasonal VisaPeak Seasonal Visa
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Media Monitor: Road closures, pet support, and regenerative farming
Radio New Zealand is reporting on several stories this morning. The Desert Road, also known as State Highway 1 in the North Island, is closed due to snow. Warnings have also been issued for the South Island. Separately, The Big…
Politics and GovernmentWeatherBusinessEntertainmentAgricultureGeneral PoliticsEnvironmentMusicTransportationGeneral Weather Desert RoadState Highway 1Big Hearts ProjectPetstock FoundationNZ Food NetworkGreen Partyregenerative farmingRNZ News
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New Zealand Farm Confidence Soars After Policy Changes and Market Gains
Farmer confidence has surged following improvements in interest rates, commodity prices, and governmental policy, according to Federated Farmers' latest Farm Confidence Survey. The survey indicates a significant rebound from record lows experienced 12 months prior. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford…
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentAgricultureEconomyState Governments Farm Confidence SurveyFederated FarmersWayne LangfordEconomic ConditionsDairy PricesGovernment Regulation
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Media Monitor: Hamilton homicide, inflation increase, Jason Momoa eyes NZ citizenship
Media Monitor: 1News is reporting that a 20-year-old man died in a Hamilton hospital after a fight. Police are investigating and seeking the offender and weapons used. Also, Stats NZ reported that inflation rose to 2.7% in the 12 months…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEntertainmentSportScience & TechnologyEconomyFilm and TVAgricultureLegal HamiltonHomicideInflationStats NZSounds AirJason MomoaNew Zealand citizenshipOne News NZ
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New Zealand Food Prices Increase 4.6 Percent Annually
Food prices in New Zealand have risen 4.6 percent in the year to June 2025, according to Stats NZ. This follows a 4.4 percent increase in the year to May 2025. The rise was primarily driven by increases in grocery…
BusinessEconomyTradeAgricultureAustralasia Food PricesStats NZInflationGrocery FoodMeatPoultryFishStatistics NZ
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Media Monitor: Radio New Zealand reports power outages, court ruling, political clash
Radio New Zealand is reporting that thousands of homes are without power after another night of wild weather. NZTA said it is looking at weather damage to state highways across the top of the South Island. In other news, a…
WeatherLegalPolitics and GovernmentSportEntertainmentAgricultureLaw EnforcementFilm and TV Power outagesNZTAJevon McSkimmingAnita BakerJulia DeLuneyCrimeRNZ News
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Federated Farmers Urges Support for Flood-Hit Farmers
Federated Farmers is appealing to the public to support farming families in the Nelson and Tasman regions who have been severely affected by recent flooding. The call for assistance comes as recovery efforts intensify and the full extent of the…
Politics and GovernmentWeatherAgricultureAustralasiaDisastersState Governments Federated FarmersWayne LangfordKerry IrvineNelsonTasmanFarmers Adverse Events TrustNatural Disaster
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Terry Copeland Steps Down as Federated Farmers CEO
Federated Farmers CEO Terry Copeland is stepping down at the end of this month after seven years in the role. Federated Farmers national president Wayne Langford praised Copeland's leadership during crises such as the Mycoplasma Bovis incursion, COVID-19, droughts, fires,…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAgriculture Terry CopelandFederated FarmersWayne LangfordPrimary Industries NZ Summit and AwardsMycoplasma BovisAppointments
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Federated Farmers Call for Rejection of 'Ute Tax 2.0'
Federated Farmers is urging Revenue Minister Simon Watts to dismiss proposed changes to the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) concerning utes, vehicles widely used by farmers in New Zealand. According to Federated Farmers, these changes could impose thousands of dollars in…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAgricultureEconomyFederal GovernmentTrade Federated FarmersSimon WattsFringe Benefit TaxFBTUte TaxTaxationFarm
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New Zealand Food Prices Increase 4.4 Percent Annually
Food prices in New Zealand have risen 4.4 percent in the year to May 2025, according to Stats NZ. This follows a 3.7 percent increase in the year to April 2025. The rise was driven by higher prices for the…
BusinessEconomyTradeAgriculture Food PricesStats NZInflationGrocery FoodMeatNicola GrowdenStatistics New Zealand
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Federated Farmers Demand Rates Overhaul to Alleviate Rural Burden
Federated Farmers is calling for significant changes to council funding and spending to address the concerns of rural ratepayers who feel they are unfairly burdened. Local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says councils need to cut wasteful spending and distribute the…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnvironmentState GovernmentsEconomyAgriculture Federated FarmersSandra FaulknerLocal GovernmentRatesRuralElectionsClimate Policy
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ACT Stands with Farmers Against 'Left's' Climate Focus
ACT is campaigning against what it describes as the Left's attacks on farmers, council waste on climate initiatives, and farm-to-forestry conversions. The party is advocating for practical solutions such as strengthening biosecurity and supporting farmers. ACT Local candidates will work…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnvironmentAgricultureLocal Government ACT PartyFarmersClimate ChangeBiosecurityForestryAndrew HoggardACT Party NZ
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Woori Kimchi Minced Raw Garlic Recalled in New Zealand
New Zealand Food Safety has issued a recall for all batches and dates of Woori Kimchi brand Minced Raw Garlic. The recall is due to a lack of required food safety controls. Consumers are advised not to consume the affected…
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New Zealand Farmers Welcome Restrictions on Carbon Forestry
Federated Farmers' ‘Save our Sheep’ campaign has seen progress with the Government introducing legislation to curb carbon forestry on productive farmland. Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams said the legislation is a positive step but "long overdue." He…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnvironmentAgriculture Federated Farmerscarbon forestryToby WilliamsEmissions Trading SchemeSave our SheepLegislation
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Federated Farmers Petition for KiwiSaver Access for Young Farmers
Federated Farmers has launched a nationwide petition urging the Government to amend KiwiSaver rules, enabling young farmers to use their savings to purchase their first farm, flock, herd, or home. Dairy chair Richard McIntyre highlighted the importance of this issue,…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAgricultureEconomy Federated FarmersKiwiSaverRichard McIntyreNational FieldaysPetitionFarmingGovernment
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Federated Farmers Cautiously Optimistic About Fish & Game Reforms
Federated Farmers have expressed cautious optimism regarding the proposed changes to Fish & Game, while also voicing concerns about the organization's involvement in political advocacy. Richard McIntyre, Federated Farmers hunting spokesperson, stated that farmers have clearly communicated their concerns and…
Politics and GovernmentEnvironmentAgricultureAustralasiaState Governments Federated FarmersFish & GameJames MeagerRichard McIntyreJason HerrickHuntingFishing
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Waikato Farmers Voice Concerns Over New PC1 Interim Decision
Waikato farmers are expressing concerns after the Environment Court released its interim decision on Plan Change 1 (PC1), a plan 12 years in the making. Waikato Federated Farmers president Phil Sherwood said the new rules would significantly impact farmers in…
Politics and GovernmentEnvironmentAgricultureLegalAustralasiaState Governments WaikatoPlan Change 1Federated FarmersEnvironment CourtPhil SherwoodFarmingResource Consent
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New Zealand Weather Review: May's Fluctuations and June's Chilling Forecast
New Zealand experienced fluctuating temperatures and near-to-above average rainfall in May, with high pressure dominating, according to MetService. A state of emergency was declared in Selwyn District due to a deep low east of the country, and Wellington region was…
WeatherAgricultureDisastersEnvironmentClimate ChangeGeneral Weather MetServiceRainfallTemperaturesJune 2025Selwyn DistrictMetService New Zealand
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Federated Farmers Applauds Review of Freshwater Regulations
Federated Farmers has welcomed the government's announcement of a comprehensive review of freshwater regulations. Federated Farmers' freshwater spokesperson Colin Hurst said the previous government's freshwater rules were "completely unworkable for farmers" and the current government had to "push pause on…
Politics and GovernmentEnvironmentAgricultureState Governments Federated Farmersfreshwater regulationsColin HurstTe Mana o Te WaiResource Management ActGovernment reviewenvironmental policy
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Media Monitor: RNZ Reports Book Vandalism, Rugby Camp, and More
Radio New Zealand is reporting several stories, including one about a Hamilton bookstore owner who is upset about a serial vandal targeting biographies of New Zealand women. RNZ also reports that Auckland FC's coach, Steve Corica, is angry after the…
MediaSportBusinessWorldWeatherSocial IssuesAustralasiaDigital and Print PublishingRugbyEconomyAgricultureDisastersTransportation book vandalismSteve CoricaKiwiSaverChristchurchHannah ZwartzTroy NathanRNZ News
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New Zealand Boosts Science and Innovation for Economic Growth
The New Zealand government is backing science and innovation to boost economic growth, according to Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti. Budget 2025 will reallocate existing funds towards growth-promoting investments in these sectors. The aim is to enable…
Science & TechnologyPolitics and GovernmentBusinessEconomyFederal GovernmentMedical ScienceEnvironmentAgriculture Shane RetiBudget 2025ScienceInnovationGene TechnologyEconomic Growth
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Pumpkin Seed Growers Find Success at Summer Hill Seeds
Sheep and beef farmers Clare and Grant Adkins sought a less intensive occupation when they decided to grow pumpkins at Summer Hill Seeds. According to RNZ, the couple were looking for a "semi-retirement option".
WorldBusinessEntertainmentWeatherSportAustralasiaSocial IssuesAgricultureMediaTransportationClimate ChangeFilm and TV