Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
The Government is investing more than $3 million in three new community-led catchment projects through its Jobs for Nature programme.
Enabling riparian planting, enhancing wetlands, revitalising estuaries, and tackling invasive plant Old Man’s Beard infestations feature strongly in these new projects.
The Government is investing $1.5 million into the Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective Environmental Restoration Project with the support of the Rangitikei Environment Group.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says the project will tackle Old Man’s Beard infestation in the Rangitikei River catchment and help support important riparian areas.
“Old Man’s Beard is one of the biggest threats to our biodiversity by smothering native plants, and action is needed.”
The project will create eight new full-time jobs per year over the 2.5-year life of the project.
In the Bay of Plenty, $1.45 million is being poured into a 3-year project with Wai Kokopu Incorporated, which has its sights on revitalising the health of the Waihi Estuary.
“A key part of this project is to connect and harness the collective action and passion of the local communities, agencies, industries and landowners.
“It will also create four jobs over its life,” says O’Connor.
“This project will conduct scientific monitoring of the catchment to drive targeted land management practices and strategies to reduce environment impacts.”
The Government is also investing $83,970 in a three-year project with Otago South River Care Incorporated.
This South Otago project will enhance local water quality and biodiversity in the Tokomairiro catchment by enabling the community to plant native plants in two wetlands and two riparian areas covering 2.6 hectares close to Toko Mouth. It will also create three new jobs.
“Boosting sustainability and jobs is a key theme in delivering Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Potential, our roadmap for the food and fibres sector,” says O’Connor.
“These important projects will help to drive community-led action to protect and enhance water quality and our environment to leave a lasting legacy for our communities.”
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.
Making things simpler, not harder, for deer farmers in farm planning and coping with regulations is Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) industry capability manager John Ladley’s current focus.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is launching an online business directory called The Country Women’s Collective to promote and support entrepreneurial rural women.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill has joined the Campaign for Wool NZ as an ambassador, lending his name and profile to educate and advocate for New Zealand strong wool.
Living labs that bring together expertise at locations around New Zealand are among potential solutions identified by researchers to help the country move towards a more climate resilient future.