Rabobank 2026 Outlook: Geopolitics shapes global agriculture
The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate agricultural trade flows, prices, and production decisions.
Rabobank is to open a second branch in Northland, at Dargaville. It has had a branch at Whangarei for 10 years.
Rabobank Northland branch manager Tessa Sutherland said the office is convenient and centrally located, allowing clients easy access.
“It has been a vision for some time and we are thrilled to be opening our new branch in Dargaville next week, starting off 2015 with a bang,” Sutherland says.
“The township is witnessing a new building taking shape and we are happy with the modern look and feel, as well as the state-of-the-art facilities our clients and staff will have.”
Sutherland, who has worked 11 years with Rabobank, previously managed the Whangarei branch. She will continue to operate from both branches, like other staff.
She claims the new branch firmly “cements” the commitment the bank is making to the region long-term.
“Our Northland team will continue to work together in both branches which will allow us to fully support our clients and to share knowledge of the overlapping agricultural areas.
“We will make the most of having the two offices to work from – it will be a flexible and welcoming arrangement.”
The new branch has room for eight staff.
“It’s a tricky time we are going into, regarding dairy prices, but we know the fundamentals are strong and we remain positive about dairy. Conversely, the sheep and beef sector is in excellent shape and prices are swinging in the right direction.
“We are here to help people through these agricultural cycles. That’s what we do.”
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.
Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.