Editorial: Punching Above Our Weight
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
Fonterra-owned Tip Top Ice Cream has taken out supreme award at the 2012 New Zealand ice cream awards.
In the large manufacturer category, this year's supreme award has gone to Tip Top's French vanilla ice cream.
This ice cream was best in category for standard vanilla ice cream and judges described it as true to type with good colour and matching flavour.
The Supreme Award for a boutique manufacturer this year was awarded to the Takapuna Beach Cafe and Store for an entry in the gelato category.
It's winning salted caramel gelato impressed judges. They said its ability to balance the sweet flavour of caramel with just enough sea salt to enhance the overall combination of flavours in this gelato. Takapuna Beach Cafe and Store also won the supreme award last year for their coconut & lime curd gelato.
The awards received a record 285 entries that kept the five judges engaged for a full two days judging. There was also a record number of 37 entrants compared to 31 last year.
The individual categories which attracted the largest number of entries were premium ice cream with 55 entries, gelato with 56 entries and sorbet with 50 entries.
The awards were announced at a gala dinner in Napier last night.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
OPINION: The Irish dairy sector is facing a new dilemma - maintaining year-round fresh milk supplies.
OPINION: Could beef cows play an increasingly important role in improving profitability and resilience on hill country farms?