Enhanced Hilux hits the spot
The war for supremacy in the ute market is still being waged by market leaders Toyota and Ford, with the Hilux and Ranger.
Now entering its 21st year since the launch in 1995, the Toyota RAV 4 has graced the yards or driveways of 28,500 buyers and retains its dominant stake in the competitive SUV market.
Eight times since 2001 it has taken top the spot, including the last four years. To commemorate the milestone Toyota is launching a special Edition 21, limited to 100 units, and sure to be snapped up quickly.
Based on the 2L GXL 2WD variant, and offered in Blue Gem, Ink or Glacier White exterior colours, all have silver accents on the front and rear bumpers, door mirrors and wheel arches. Further detail is lower door mouldings offset by a black back door garnish, also used on the lower section of the rear bumper.
Dual five spoke, 18 inch alloys combine with exclusive Edition 21 badging, a genuine nudge bar and complementary black headlining and pillar trims on the interior.
Now in its fourth generation since the 1995 launch, the gutsy little performer shows no signs of lying down, and brings the latest technology to an army of shrewd buyers. That technology includes Toyota Safety Sense, lane departure alert with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control and automated high beam control.
The package also includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and hill start control, seven airbags, and a rear camera combined with front and rear and parking sensors, which all combine with the solid construction to achieve a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.