EPA chief executive to step down
Allan Freeth, chief executive of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced he is resigning.
Nominations are now open for the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board.
Following the retirement of Barry O’Neil and Hugh Ritchie and the decision by Kathryn de Bruin to step down, three director positions are available this year.
HortNZ chair Bernadine Guilleux says horticulture is a crucial industry for New Zealand, adding that director elections give growers a say in the direction of the industry good body.
“We’re encouraging growers to think about the candidates who will best reflect the diversity of the sector – from different crops and regions to varied backgrounds and perspectives,” Guilleux says.
“We’re looking for strong, skilled leaders who understand the pressures growers face and are passionate about shaping a positive future,” she adds.
“We need a board that brings a mix of experience and insight to the table – including skills in finance, biosecurity and risk management, science and innovation, Te Ao Māori, and governance.”
To be eligible, candidates must be active growers, or a director, shareholder, trustee or employee of an active grower.
Nominations close Monday 9 June. For more information, visit www.hortnz.co.nz
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.
Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.
Virtual fencing and herding systems supplier, Halter is welcoming a decision by the Victorian Government to allow farmers in the state to use the technology.
DairyNZ’s latest Econ Tracker update shows most farms will still finish the season in a positive position, although the gap has narrowed compared with early season expectations.
New Zealand’s national lamb crop for the 2025–26 season is estimated at 19.66 million head, a lift of one percent (or 188,000 more lambs) on last season, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) latest Lamb Crop report.

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