Damien O’Connor Criticises Budget 2026 as ‘Miserable’ for Rural New Zealand
A miserable budget that didn’t deliver much for anyone.
OPINION: A mate of Milking It recently opined that Ag Minister Damien O'Connor is a sitter for the moniker 'Minister of Foot in Mouth Disease' after yet another clumsy public statement.
He has now followed this gaffe in a speech he gave at the CD field days - no doubt trying to pander to his farming audience - by kicking tourism while it's down, Covid-19, he said, has taught the tourism industry "not to be so cocky" after it conceded to dairy as our top export earner.
Towns dependent on tourism are dying and need government assistance, not a kick in the guts.
