Tuesday, 25 May 2021 13:30

Honi O'Connor

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor doesn't get too many plaudits these days, but at this month's Ahuwhenua Awards he got one that took him by surprise and, he said, it was one of the nicest things anyone has said to him in a long time.

In a speech to the 800 or so people at the dairy awards, Paki Nikora, who is the chairman of Tataiwhetu Trust, declared O'Connor as an honorary Maori for his work in support of Maori.

There is no indication that other iwi support this, but certainly Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson supported the move saying that Damien was an Irishman and that Irishmen are just like Maoris.

O'Connor responded that while he was not part of the people from the mist (a reference to Tuhoe), he was from the people of the rain - the West Coast.

More like this

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.

Synthetic milk

Synthetic milk

OPINION: Will synthetic milk derail NZ's economy?

It's all about economics

OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.

Red line on dairy

OPINION: As India negotiates to open its borders to more global products, dairy is proving a sticky issue.

Farmland security

OPINION: Paranoia about foreigners is at an all-time high in the US and attention is now turning to foreign-owned farmland.

Popular Reads

Early drought fears ease in Hawke’s Bay, but caution remains

Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.

Fonterra shareholders watch performance after sale

Fonterra shareholders say they will be keeping an eye on their co-operative's performance after the sale of its consumer businesses.

Farmers more satisfied with banks, but confidence remains below 2017 levels

According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however,…

Environment Canterbury promotes on-farm composting as a practical alternative to offal pits

Environment Canterbury, alongside industry partners and a group of farmers, is encouraging farmers to consider composting as an environmentally friendly…

Glut in global milk supply keeping prices down

The final Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction has delivered bad news for dairy farmers.

Featured

China’s new beef tariffs expected to favour New Zealand exporters

Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.

Primary sector leaders praise speed and ambition of India–NZ free trade deal

Primary sector leaders have praised the government and its officials for putting the Indian free trade deal together in just nine months.

Meat, wool and hort big winners in Indian FTA

Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand.

Dairy farmers well positioned despite global milk price volatility

Dairy farmers are still in a good place despite volatile global milk prices.

Restrictions on fruits, vegetables movement in Mt Roskill

Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.

Free herbicide resistance testing

Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.

National

Fonterra capital return could boost GDP – ANZ Report

The Fonterra divestment capital return should provide “a tailwind to GDP growth” next year, according to a new ANZ NZ report,…

Fonterra upgrades Eltham cheese production for global growth

Fonterra's Eltham site in Taranaki is stepping up its global impact with an upgrade to its processed cheese production lines,…

Michelle Pye elected to Fonterra board

Canterbury farmer Michelle Pye has been elected to Fonterra’s board for a three-year term.

Government plan to scrap regional councils faces criticism

Government plans to get rid of regional councillors shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental problem affecting all of…

Lactose to join fat and protein in Fonterra milk price model

For over 20 years, Whakatane farmer Gerard Van Beek has been attending Fonterra annual general meetings with the same message…

Machinery & Products

Case IH Unveils New RB6 Round Balers & 2026 Square Baler Upgrades

Case IH has released details of its all-new round balers and redesigns to its large square balers aimed at increasing…

How to Improve Milking Efficiency in Swing-Over Herringbone Sheds

The swing-over herringbone is the most common dairy type in New Zealand, used on 69% of dairy farms. Simple changes…

Claas Jaguar 1000 Series sets new forage harvesting world record

The recently released Claas Jaguar 1000 Series has seen its flagship 1200 set a new official Guiness World Record in…

CB Norwood appoints John Skurr as new general manager

CB Norwood Distributors Limited has announced the appointment of John Skurr to the position of general manager.

AIMER, Bovonic and Herd-i join forces to advance NZ dairy tech

Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.

» Latest Print Issues Online

dairynewscover

ruralnewscover

winegrowercover

Milking It

Trump's tariffs

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports into the US is doing good things for global trade, according…

Tanker on the roll

Seen a giant cheese roll rolling along Southland’s roads?

» eNewsletter