Policy
Govt promises fresh thinking on water policy
Neal WallaceDec 1, 2023
New Minister of Agriculture promises changes to water policy by Christmas.
ETS stability a must for new minister, forestry says
Richard RennieNov 30, 2023
Investors getting cold feet as sector is racked by uncertainty.
New govt hits reset on ag policies
Neal WallaceNov 28, 2023
No fewer than 13 ag policies of previous government earmarked for reversal or review.
Wools of NZ hails turnaround on carpeting
Farmers WeeklyNov 27, 2023
Government decision on wool in public sector buildings ‘a significant boost to wool growers and the industry’.
Telehealth service is a start, not a solution
Craig PageNov 23, 2023
Political parties need to make good on election promises about better rural health care, writes Craig Page.
MPI won’t regulate regenerative ag, it says
Gerhard UysNov 17, 2023
Approach focused on supporting research that farmers can use in building better farm systems.
BLNZ urges rethink on freshwater plans
Farmers WeeklyNov 17, 2023
Concerns about ‘rushed consultation approaches being taken by councils’.
Webinars shed light on farm plan requirements
Federated FarmersNov 13, 2023
Concerns remain about the cost, usefulness, and how they join up with with rules and requirements.
Shared views give hope for swift ag policy changes
Neal WallaceNov 8, 2023
Three coalition hopefuls agree on most things when it comes to the primary sector.
‘Groundswell’s environmental record speaks for itself’
Guest writerOct 18, 2023
Spokesperson says recent criticism ‘leaves readers misinformed’.
Plea to take water out of political realm
Annette ScottOct 18, 2023
Irrigation lobby group wants longer-term thinking and a ministry for water.
Keep regs real, arable farmers advise new govt
Annette ScottOct 18, 2023
They also want useful tools – including GM – to be put in growers’ hands.
Rule review is farmers’ priority for new govt
Richard RennieOct 16, 2023
Rural New Zealand is looking to the incoming administration to deliver on its promises.
BLNZ’s shopping list for new govt
Annette ScottOct 16, 2023
‘We need the incoming government to enable farmers rather than restrict them’
Primary sector beefs up clout in Parliament
Neal WallaceOct 16, 2023
Number of MPs with farming ties grows by 50%.
The only certainty is nothing will change
Alan EmersonOct 16, 2023
Alan Emerson looks beyond the result of the General Election.
Damned if you don’t: new regs tight on time and cost
Richard RennieOct 10, 2023
New risk classification of farm dams likely to prove expensive – if there is even capacity to get it done.
Let’s hear less from Greater Wellington
Alan EmersonOct 5, 2023
Alan Emerson is fed up with what he calls the ‘extreme whims’ of the regional council’s climate change approach.
Labour’s trade claims: gold standard or a lot of brass?
Nigel StirlingOct 4, 2023
Was the government’s glittering trade run achieved more in spite of Labour than because of it, asks Nigel Stirling.
Election 2023: Farmer confidence and economic performance
Neal WallaceOct 2, 2023
Farmers Weekly asks New Zealand’s six biggest parties to spell out their policies for the primary sector.
Environment Court hearings for PC1 get underway
Gerald PiddockSep 29, 2023
Court to hear appeals against ‘decisions version’ of plan.
National promises spending cuts before Christmas
BusinessDeskSep 29, 2023
Party delivers updated fiscal plan in last major policy release before polls open.
Politicians agree on diagnosis, but not the cure
Neal WallaceSep 29, 2023
Health debate takes place as alarming new stats released.
Southern freshwater bureaucracy gears up
Neal WallaceSep 27, 2023
Scores sign on as certifiers and auditors of farm water plans.
Mayor welcomes NPS on natural hazards
Richard RennieSep 26, 2023
Local authorities, insurers welcome policy direction on planning for natural hazards.
Groundswell protest reaches Picton
Neal WallaceSep 26, 2023
Drive 4 Change hears stories of stressed farmers in nationwide trek to highlight rural plight.
Regs cost a lot and achieve little, report says
Neal WallaceSep 25, 2023
More sleep lost to following the rules than to farming itself, one farmer says.
Debate defines rural voters’ choices
Neal WallaceSep 15, 2023
Spectrum of policies laid out for voters in Hamilton election debate.
2023 Rural Issues Debate: Watch it here
Farmers WeeklySep 15, 2023
Watch politicians in Hamilton compete for the vote of their rural constituents.
National pledges to shake up consent rules
Neal WallaceSep 14, 2023
Policy announcement welcomed by Irrigation NZ and Federated Farmers.
Regs impede creation of new wetlands: Fish & Game
Farmers WeeklySep 11, 2023
It has become harder to establish wetlands and easier to destroy them, says body.
Farmers NZ to host political debate
Farmers WeeklySep 8, 2023
Agri leaders of six parties on the spot about plans for the sector.
New role for Pāmu in NZ First policy
Neal WallaceSep 5, 2023
Use state farms to give would-be farmers a leg up, party proposes.
National says it would review research hubs
BusinessDeskSep 5, 2023
Wellington Science City planned to increase collaboration on climate change and disaster resilience, among other key areas.
Foreign forestry buyers snapped up 450,000 ha before regs changed
Neal WallaceSep 1, 2023
Trend appears to be reversing since rules were tightened.
Emissions policy hasn’t capped sector dissent
Neal WallaceAug 24, 2023
O’Connor says critics need to spell out their position for levy payers.
NBA a slam dunk for food growers, hort says
Richard RennieAug 22, 2023
Legislation hailed as huge step in saving high-value soils for fruit and veg.
Ag leaders tear into new emissions plan
Neal WallaceAug 18, 2023
They say govt proposal lacks detail and is ill-timed amid sector’s financial storms.
Freshwater progress clouded by piecemeal approach
BusinessDeskAug 18, 2023
Parliament upbraids bureaucrats on lack of co-ordination on issue.
Right doesn’t mean might for major parties
BusinessDeskJul 24, 2023
Policy shifts fail to bring voters along in fractured political landscape, polls suggest.
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