McClay Nats' new ag spokesman
National Party trade spokesman Todd McClay will become the party’s agriculture spokesperson, National leader Christopher Luxon announced today.
Hamilton East MP David Bennett has been appointed National’s new agriculture spokesman.
Bennett replaces Todd Muller who is now the leader of the National Party.
Muller has appointed Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon as deputy agriculture spokesman.
IrrigationNZ congratulated Bennett.
“We have worked closely with Todd since he took over the agricultural portfolio, and we congratulate him on his new role as leader of the National Party, alongside his deputy Nikki Kaye,” says IrrigationNZ chief executive, Elizabeth Soal.
“We look forward to working with David - and all political parties - to ensure that water infrastructure, use, and good management gets the focus it urgently requires.
“It is critical to underpin a resilient and sustainable future for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, our communities, and the environment.”
Owners and lessees of certain Hino Trucks New Zealand diesel vehicles have just 10 days remaining to register or opt out of a proposed $10.9 million class action settlement.
Silver Fern Farms has successfully produced and delivered 90 tonnes of premium chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates via airfreight.
For the first three months of 2026, new tractor deliveries saw an increase over the previous two months, resulting in year-to-date deliveries climbing to 649 units - around 5% ahead of the same period in 2025.
QU Dongyu, director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has issued a warning saying that global fertiliser scarcity caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz will lead to lower yields and tightening food supplies into 2027.
Federated Farmers is urging Canterbury's council leaders to move quickly on local government reform.
Having represented New Zealand at the 2024 and 2005 World Ploughing Championships, in Estonia and The Czech Republic respectively, Southland contractor Mark Dillon was at Methven last month for the NZ Ploughing Champs.