Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
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.
A Chinese business leader says Chinese investors are unfairly viewed as potential security risks in New Zealand.
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reiterated New Zealand’s ‘China And’ policy, adding that it wasn’t about choosing one market over another but creating more options for exporters.
A long running trade dispute between New Zealand and Canada over dairy access has been resolved.
New Zealand Police is urging rural property owners to remain vigilant and ensure their property is secure.
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