fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 05 August 2025 10:06

Cynical politics

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: There is zero chance that someone who joined Fonterra as a lobbyist, then served as a general manager of Fonterra's nutrient management programme, and sat on the board of Export NZ, a division of lobbyist group Business New Zealand, doesn't understand that local butter (and milk and cheese) prices are set by the international commodity price.

So, Finance Minister Nicola Willis' little game, implying that the co-op might be cranking the domestic price up, and that she was going to meet with CEO Miles Hurrell to discuss it, was pure political theatre - and cynical politics, at that.

This led to the ridiculous spectacle of TVNZ's lightweight 'political editor' trying to doorstop Hurrell on the 6 o'clock ews about why butter costs so much.

Everyone uses dairying as a whipping boy.

It's deeply disappointing to see Willis doing the same thing.


 Read More:


More like this

Why 'Fork to Farm' Beats Farm to Fork, Expert Says

In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.

Featured

Taupiri Farmers Chase Ownership After Awards Success

For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.

Ballance Urges Farmers to Plan Ahead for El Niño

With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.

National

Machinery & Products