Woolworks scour reopens after $50m rebuild
The world’s largest wool processing facility, badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle over one year ago, has re-opened following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project.
Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor is defending the time it's taking to produce a long-term recovery package for Hawke's Bay.
O'Connor told Hort News the Government has already made $75 million available for the clean-up. But he says it would be highly irresponsible of the Government to 'throw out money without a proper plan' and says this (plan) is now being worked through.
O'Connor says suggestions that a plan similar to what was rolled out in the 2004 Manawatu floods is no longer valid.
"Times have shifted and the challenges facing us now are quite different from that event in the early 2000s," he claims. "It is important that the recovery package in now is appropriate, fair and is actually sustainable."
O'Connor adds that the Government is very aware of the biological issue facing the hort sector and that time does not stand still and is moving as quickly as it can. However, he points out that ultimately the recover in some areas will be dependent on insurance companies' appetite for risk and on the banks' preparedness to fund.
"Any government support must be complementary to, and not instead of, those other parties."
O'Connor says the Government has been working with regional councils and grower organisations on how to deal with what he describes as a complex disaster in many parts of the country.
These involve dealing with silt, reinstating infrastructure, long term river protection and the options for overall recovery.
"Announcements on some of these are due in the near future," he says.
O'Connor adds that one has to remember that other parts of the country have also been affected such as Dargaville where the kumara crop was virtually wiped out. He says there is huge demand on the Government at the moment with people losing homes in other regions.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…