New Zealand and Ireland Extend $34.5m Climate Research Partnership for Agriculture
Ireland and NZ have concluded a deal to extend a joint research programme on climate change.
National's spokesperson on agriculture, Todd McClay, has entered the debate on the Hawke's Bay crisis.
Speaking at a woolshed meeting with his boss, Christopher Luxon, McClay says there were a lot of upset and angry people in the region because of the delay in an announcement of long-term recovery plans.
He says it's hard on people who've lost their livelihoods and have no certainty in their lives.
"The Government has made a big promise to Hawke's Bay to get this sorted out quickly. I am hearing that people are concerned, disappointed, disillusioned and extremely depressed at the lack of action."
McClay says he intends to approach Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor to see if there can be a bipartisan approach to the recovery.
O'Connor says there has never been a political approach to the recovery but is happy to meet with McClay or any other politician.
"The door is always open for any good ideas from National - if they have any," he says.
The New Zealand red meat sector has signed an open letter to parliamentarians from BusinessNZ, urging swift ratification of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Wools of New Zealand is joining calls for New Zealand to urgently ratify a Free Trade Agreement with India.
Fonterra says Richard Allen will succeed Miles Hurrell as its new chief executive.
Cyclone Vaianu is continuing its track south towards the Bay of Plenty, bringing with it destructive winds, heavy rain, and large swells, says Metservice.
While Cyclone Vaianu remains off the East Coast of New Zealand, the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group says impacts have been felt overnight.
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region prepares for Cyclone Vaianu to hit the area.

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