Bird Flu: Keep Distance, Wash Hands, Report It
OPINION: It's a tough pill to swallow that bird flu (avian influenza) has finally arrived in New Zealand. This is a moment many of us have hoped would never come.
Former head of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Peter Chrisp is the new director-general of the Department of Conservation.
Welcoming his appointment, Environmental Defence Society (EDS) chief executive Gary Taylor says Chrisp understands the importance of the conservation estate, and the natural environment more generally, to New Zealand's economic welfare.
"He will be well placed to argue for adequate resourcing for the department which manages one-third of our country.
"There are clearly big challenges ahead for DoC with yesterday's announcement of further public service cuts."
Chrisp also has direct experience of conservation challenges on the ground through his work as chair of Predator Free Wellington.
"EDS looks forward to working constructively with the new director-general when he takes office at the end of June. We share common ground in wanting positive conservation outcomes for Aotearoa," says Taylor.
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
For over 50 years Mel Ewers has been supporting the apple sector navigate through compliance and quality assurance issues.
The apple sector is enjoying a bumper harvest season.