Nathan Guy is the new special agricultural trade envoy
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
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.
More than 150 people turned up at Parliament recently to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
Biosecurity New Zealand says Kiwis should continue to keep an eye out for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) over the holiday season.
The Push-Up Challenge, an event which combines mental health and fitness, is set to launch in New Zealand in 2026.
Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year Competition winners, selected by a panel of European journalists, were announced in Hanover Germany.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.

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