increase font size
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand’s economy is entering a dramatic new era of change with all the primary sector’s challenges ‘lying on the table’ together.
She spoke last week to Federated Farmers’ annual conference, ranging widely over protecting waterways, reducing agricultural emissions, enhancing sustainability, ensuring a workforce to deal with future change, biosecurity, protecting elite food producing soils and securing more free trade agreements (FTA’s).
“It’s a lot, and you are out in front tackling these issues,” she told the conference.
“I want you to know and feel and experience that [politicians] too are focused on these issues and equally on supporting you as we navigate them.
“This transition is not easy but it will be less jarring if we start early,” she said.
Ardern said NZ has traditionally reaped the reward of being a world leader in the primary sector, and we must tackle some of these issues early to ensure NZ stays at the front of the pack. But the changes must be managed well, not done in a way that leaves behind a legacy of hurt.
The Prime Minister says high quality trade agreements are a top priority for her Government and for NZ as an export nation.
The Government wants quality, modern, enduring and progressive FTAs that adhere to the rules based systems of the WTO and open doors into the best premium markets for food and fibre.
“We should settle for no less,” Ardern said, also urging development of new markets, notably the Middle East and China where on her recent visit she found Premier Li Keqiang enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Maori culture.
“Our food and fibre are renowned in China as safe, nutritious and clean, but he sees the story and values of indigenous NZers as really setting us apart.
“These are the values held by Maori, including the principle of kaitiakitanga -- the idea that we have a guardianship role on behalf of our environment and natural resources.
“Unless we protect these we won’t only lose one of our greatest assets, we will also diminish our narrative,” Ardern said.
The Prime Minister several times urged that NZers protect the country’s unique elite food producing soils from urban sprawl or any upsurge in tree planting.
OPINION: After Jacinda Ardern and Labour were asked to form the government following the 2017 elections, Federated Farmers sent an email out to its executives asking if any of them had a working relationship with any Labour MPs. The answer was no one did.
OPINION: It's been reported that former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will work alongside leaders from Conservation International to advocate for climate action and better treatment of the environment.
OPINION: The sudden resignation of Jacinda Ardern and installation of Chris Hipkins as Prime Minister will see many in the farming sector looking to the old maxim about 'putting lipstick on a pig' - which means making superficial or cosmetic changes to a product in a futile effort to disguise its fundamental failings.
OPINION: The Hound notes that in all the media hoo-ha over outgoing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her replacement by a Richie Cunningham from Happy Days look-alike, news that another quitter was back went under the radar.
Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard believes the agriculture sector is “losing a friend” with the shock resignation of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
The East Coast Farming Expo is playing host to a quad of ‘female warriors’ (wahine toa) who will give an in-depth insight into the opportunities and successes the primary industries offer women.
New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is sharing simple food safety tips for Kiwis to follow over the summer.
Beef produced from cattle from New Zealand's dairy sector could provide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 48, compared to the average for beef cattle, a new study by AgResearch has found.
The Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found farmers' expectations for their own business operations had also improved, with the net reading on this measure lifting to +37% from +19% previously.
Confidence is flowing back into the farming sector on the back of higher dairy and meat prices, easing interest rates and a more farmer-friendly regulatory environment.
Ham has edged out lamb to become Kiwis’ top choice for their Christmas tables this year.
OPINION: It could be cod on your cornflakes and sardines in your smoothie if food innovators in Indonesia have their…
OPINION: A new study, published recently in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, adds to some existing evidence about…
