Santa's present for the primary sector - an FTA with India
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
Applications have now opened for the 2026 Meat Industry Association scholarships.
Students considering a future in the red meat sector have until 26 November, 2025 to submit applications for the scholarships which are valued at $5,000 for undergraduates and $10,000 for post graduate students.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the scholarship programme covers a wide range of topics.
“Scholars selected for the 2025 scholarships are pursuing subjects including commerce, nutrition and food science, environmental science, law, agribusiness, food marketing and mechanical engineering, with a post graduate scholar undertaking research into foodborne pathogens," Karapeeva says.
She says the red meat sector has a wide range of career pathways, meaning many subjects fit the criteria.
Karapeeva says the MIA is looking for highly motivated people focused on subjects that will support future careers in the industry.
“To grow the sector, which is so important to the New Zealand economy, we need to be recruiting a pipeline of highly-skilled people and future leaders and the scholarship programme provides an important pathway for talented young people into the industry.”
Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident studying at a tertiary institution in a discipline relevant to the meat processing industry and planning a career in the red meat sector, beyond the farm gate.
To complete the application form, visit www.mia.co.nz/mia-scholarships-current/
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…