Santa's present for the primary sector - an FTA with India
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
Horticulture NZ is praising the Government’s new $44b primary export plan.
The Government yesterday announced its Fit for a Better World plan aimed at boosting primary sector export earnings by $44 billion over the next decade.
Horticulture NZ (HortNZ) says the horticulture industry’s future-focused strategies align well with what is proposed in the plan.
“Horticulture is already well into the journey that has been identified and proposed in these reports, and this journey will continue,” says HortNZ President, Barry O’Neil.
New Zealand’s horticulture industry is now worth more than $6.39 billion annually, employing approximately 60,000 people.
“We are encouraged to see that the proposal identifies a key opportunity to accelerate the horticulture industry’s development, which fits perfectly with our own work.
“That said, we realise that growers and horticulture’s governance groups have not been part of the Primary Sector Council’s work on developing Fit for a Better World.
“As a result, over the next few months, we will be discussing with them the approach to implementation the horticulture industry can jointly take with government,” said O’Neil.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.

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