Print this page

Friday, 18 October 2019 13:04

Let off the hook, again

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size

Regional Economic Minister Shane Jones gets away with saying a lot of things many other Cabinet ministers won’t even dream of uttering.

A recent classic example: media reported that Jones, also Minister for Forestry, speaking at the Northland Forestry Awards in Whangarei earlier this month allegedly tried to ‘bribe’ attendees to vote for his party New Zealand First.

PM Jacinda Ardern said she had spoken to Jones - a list MP for New Zealand First based in Kerikeri - about his comments.

She suggested Jones take the Cabinet manual with him on his two-week holiday this month. Wonder if that would help?

More like this

$30m PGF funding for Northland

$30m PGF funding for Northland

The Provincial Growth Fund is investing nearly $30 million towards projects in Northland.

$1.69m for trees for Māori landowners

$1.69m for trees for Māori landowners

The Government will provide up to $1.69 million through the One Billion Trees programme to Māori landowners.

Primary industries drive COVID-19 recovery

Following a new economic report, Ag Minister Damien O’Connor is celebrating primary industries’ role in the COVID-19 recovery.

Further $37.5m for Northland water storage

The Government is investing a further $37.5 million into water security for Northland.

Further $37.5m for Northland water storage

The Government is investing a further $37.5 million into water security for Northland.

Popular Reads

A significant fertiliser breakthrough?

Former ACT MP and Federated Farmers president Owen Jennings believes he's come across a new fertilising method in Australia that…

Waikato cattle farmers fined $23,000

A Waikato cattle farming family have been fined $23,000 for failing to provide sufficient food and care for their animals,…

Farmers oppose work visa changes

Farmers are crying foul over changes announced by the Government this week to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.

No easy ride for struggling sheep farmers

Stubbornly high farm input costs, a slow Chinese recovery and a flood of Australian lamb onto the global market are…

Milk price certainty

Westland Milk has reaffirmed its commitment to pay farmer suppliers 10c above Fonterra farm gate milk price for the following…

Featured

Feds claiming 'some real success' on policy front

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.

Feds back Fast-Track Approval Bill

Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.

Lamb returns forecast to remain low

The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.

First harvest of table grapes - the 'king of fruit'

Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.

Machinery builder in liquidation

In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.

Two hemispheres tied together through cows

One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.

National

Ahuwhenua Trophy finalists showcase farms

In a few weeks the winner of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori dairy farm will be revealed…

Cheesemakers may need new cheese names under FTA

The owner of an award-winning cheese producer says the Government’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) has…

Protect productivity from red tape

Productive industries shouldn’t be strangled in red tape, they need to be able to operate and grow, using technology to…

Profit focus falls off the radar

The dairy industry has lost its mojo in the last six or seven years, according to a leading dairy farmer,…

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

Temporary slurry tanks – cheap, easy to install

With effluent management never far from the thoughts of legislators and farmers becoming increasingly aware of the nutrient values of…

900,000 tractors sold in India

While the average size of a tractor in India is much smaller than in Europe or North America, the market…

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

Amazing Amazone drill - 75 years and counting

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the first Amazone seed drill – the 2m wide horse-drawn D1 launched in…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…