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The traffic light fruit which has wooed the world

Plant and Food Research scientist Bryan Parkes.

When Chinese gooseberries were introduced into New Zealand in 1904 they were a novelty crop. Today kiwifruit is a billion-dollar export earner – and still rising, due, in part, to the work of plant breeders such as Dr Bryan Parkes.

Welcome boost to rural mental health

New funding from the Government to help rural communities deal with an acute mental health situation is welcome, says Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa NZ (RHANZ) chairperson Dr Jo Scott-Jones.

Pear orchard in jeopardy, house burnt

Harry Matthews knows the area well, a key to his being hired to liaise with farmers.

People power

When Lyn Neeson, who farms near Taumaranui, saw the Whanganui and Ohura rivers rise rapidly in June, she figured this spelled trouble for farmers downstream and she was right.

Forgotten floods still haunt Whanganui farmers

Nick Tripe, 77, lost 15% of his pastures to slips and silt damage.

It is three months since devastating floods hit the lower North Island. While the mess is gone from Whanganui city, and normal life has resumed, in the country it’s a far different story, writes Peter Burke.

More milk for less water

Pahiatua Operations Manager Bill Boakes and Managing Director Global Operations Robert Spurway.

Fonterra's $231 million upgrade of its processing plant at Pahiatua has used new technology to reduce the amount of water consumed, while trebling production.

Weather holds key to milk production

Weather in the coming months will determine the size of the drop in milk production, says Federated Farmers Dairy president Andrew Hoggard.

Ag training sector to repay $7.5m

Taratihi chair Mavis Mullins. “This should not have happened and we’re confident actions taken will ensure they don’t happen again.”

Despite Taratahi Agricultural Training having 67 of its tutors enrolled as students in one of its programmes, this is viewed as not ‘uncommon’ by its current head.

Zespri’s strategy attracts investment

MyFarm national sales manager Grant Payton at the existing kiwifruit orchard which will form part of a new venture just south of Auckland.

The strength of the kiwifruit industry was a key factor behind MyFarm’s second kiwifruit venture, a proposed $9 million orchard development in the Franklin district, just south of Auckland.