Massey University Opens $70m Ngā Huia Vet Facility
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will pay for a new ‘Rural Innovation Lab’ based at Massey University’s Palmerston North campus.
The under-secretary for regional economic development, Fletcher Tabuteau, recently announced the $400,000 grant.
He says the lab will help equip farmers and growers in Manawatū-Whanganui to think afresh, particularly on digital farming.
“It will help to develop and potentially support the commercialisation of new ideas and technologies which will improve land use in the primary sector,” Tabuteau claims.
“For Manawatū-Whanganui in particular, land use optimisation is a central plank in the region’s economic action plan. This project will help to unlock new economic opportunities.”
Supporters of the lab include Palmerston North City Council, Microsoft New Zealand, Massey University and local economic development agencies.
“The lab is a model example of local people, businesses and the community progressing a project that aligns with their economic aspirations,” Tabuteau said.
Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor has welcomed the Provincial Growth Fund’s support of this project, which shows “the Government and primary sector working together and working smarter to extract more value from great kiwi products”.
Metallica's charitable foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), teamed up with Meet the Need this week for a food packing event held at the New Zealand Food Network warehouse in Auckland.
After two years, Alliance Group has returned to profit.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
Next month, wool training will reach one of New Zealand's most remote communities, the Chatham Islands - bringing hands-on skills and industry connection to locals eager to step into the wool harvesting sector.
Farmers' health and wellbeing will take centre stage with a new hub at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
Dannevirke farmer Dan Billing has been announced as the new national chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) Farmer Council.

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