Editorial: Making wool great again
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
OPINION: Finally there's clarity for farmers around freshwater management regulations.
This coalition Government was voted in by farmers in part to either stop or repeal a raft of unworkable regulations imposed by the previous Labour government. But legislative changes haven't been coming fast enough for many farmers.
For months now, regional councils have been facing a dilemma, whether to continue notifying freshwater plans in their respective districts as required by law under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (the NPS-FM) or wait for the current Government to repeal the law.
Farmers accused some councils of stubbornly ploughing ahead with plans to implement expensive, excessive and impractical new rules for farmers. If councils pass these new rules, they will effectively lock in unobtainable freshwater bottom lines and NPS-FM requirements.
Federated Farmers say that would result in Labour's NPS-FM being here to stay, despite the Labour government being voted out.
If that happens, all the new Government's efforts to make freshwater regulations more practical, affordable or workable will make absolutely no difference behind the farm gate.
Federated Farmers has been incredibly vocal in calling for the Government to stop councils notifying these new rules.
Last week the Government finally acted. It's moving an amendment to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill, currently before Parliament, which will restrict councils' ability to notify freshwater plans before the gazettal of the replacement NPS-FM.
Farmers are hailing the Government's move as a win for both them and common sense. The move could have come sooner. However, farmers up and down the country will be breathing a deep sigh of relief - better late than never.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.