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: Farmers nationwide will be rubbing their hands with glee at the latest news from the Government about the RMA reforms.
It seems that at last the Government has listened to the rural voice and acted accordingly. Talk of a focus on property rights will be dear to many farmers' hearts.
Over the years there has been a lack of consistency around the multiplicity of rules that affect farmers and rural communities.
Certain rules will apply in one region and the next-door regional council will have a different set of conditions. At the same time central governments failed to put their foot down and demand that common sense prevail. This loose approach ahs allowed councils to act in ways that impede rather than enable good farming practices.
The overall poor performance by regional councils has now come at a cost to them.
Under the new RMA, their role has been usurped by central government who will now set national standards which councils must adhere to. That will cut out the crazy stuff that has gone on for years. Also gone are the controversial regional policy statements which again were a source of angst for farmers and a cost to ratepayers.
The new RMA reforms are a victory for rural New Zealand over the rule-ridden Wellington bureaucracy and some of their mates in local government. We know that farmers had direct input and their input was sensible and pragmatic. The new RMA is not about giving farmers a free hand to act recklessly because there will still be laws and punitive measures to stop those who think they are above the law.
If regional councils cry foul about these latest moves, then they just need to look in the nearest mirror because they have brought these changes upon themselves.
The same applies to Wellington bureucrats who will now have to do a major u-turn to deliver this Government's RMA.
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.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) awards. As part of a series looking at this year’s rural winners, Leo Argent talked with Ginny Dodunski, winner of the Veterinary Impact Award for raising the profile of the Wormwise programme.
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.