Conferences – the goal is always progress
OPINION: Farmers, rural professionals and scientists were together last month in Hamilton, discussing hot topics for the land-based primary sector at the New Zealand Grassland Association (NZGA) conference.
Voting is now open for this year’s DairyNZ director elections.
This year, three candidates are vying for two vacant positions on the DairyNZ board.
Farmers have until 12 noon Thursday, October 17, to cast their votes.
Voter packs were sent out today, September 19, and once received farmers can vote either online or by post.
This year’s board of directors candidates are Jacqueline Rowarth, Richard McIntyre, and Kylie Leonard.
This year, DairyNZ is hosting a ‘Meet the Candidates’ webinar, on Friday, September 20, at 7pm.
DairyNZ’s Board consists of five farmer-elected directors and three board-appointed directors. This year, chair Jim van der Poel is retiring, and Jacqueline Rowarth is retiring by rotation and is re-standing.
Outside of the candidate vote, there are four resolutions for farmers to ratify in their vote pack, including the appointment of independent director David Hunt and changes to the Rules of DairyNZ to reflect new regulatory changes and capture recent feedback from farmers.
Further details on the resolutions and proposed changes are available in the Notice of Meeting booklet in farmer voting packs and online. More information on the candidates and voting process are available at dairynz.co.nz/elections
Canterbury farmer Michelle Pye has been elected to Fonterra’s board for a three-year term.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
Fonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million- up $15m on the previous year.
Government plans to get rid of regional councillors shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental problem affecting all of local government - poor governance.

OPINION: Your old mate welcomes the proposed changes to local government but notes it drew responses that ranged from the reasonable…
OPINION: A press release from the oxygen thieves running the hot air symposium on climate change, known as COP30, grabbed your…