Editorial: Happy days
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Door-to-door, local fruit and vegetable box deliveries can go ahead under Alert Level 4 restrictions.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) says door-to-door, local fruit and vegetable box deliveries can go ahead under COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions.
However, COVID-19 anti-transmission measures must be in place.
The MBIE advisory follows a query from Horticulture NZ.
In a posting on its website, HortNZ says “MBIE has just advised HortNZ that door-to-door, local fruit and vegetable box deliveries can go ahead, but Covid-19 anti-transmission measures must be in place, such as the 2m distancing rule and deliveries being done without individual contact”.
Orders must be made by phone or online and paid for online, so there is no handling of cash. Orders must also be left at the door, so there is no physical contact: appropriate safe food handling and COVID-19 anti-transmission measures must be in place at all times.
MBIE has also pointed out that independent fruit and vegetable outlets must remain closed to the public.
One of New Zealand’s longest-running pasture growth monitoring projects will continue, even as its long-time champion steps away after more than five decades of involvement.
The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsmen Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is advising consumers to prepare for delays as insurers respond to a high volume of claims following this week's severe weather.
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.

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