Editorial: KiwiSaver to the rescue?
OPINION: Farmers are rightly urging the Government to relax the rules around KiwiSaver and allow young farmers to use their savings towards purchasing either a house, cows or a farm.
Agriculture is high on his agenda as new Trade Minister Todd McClay attends the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
The three-day meeting, which started yesterday, is McClay's first duty as Trade Minister, a portfolio change which took effect on Monday.
"Key issues for trade and development will be in the spotlight at Nairobi, including in the important area of agriculture," McClay says.
"WTO Members will be trying to agree a package of measures from the Doha Round agenda, which has been stalled since 2008.
"While no negotiation with more than 160 participants could be described as easy, we hope that all players come to the table prepared to play their best hand.
"As well as negotiations on new market access and improved multilateral trade rules, the WTO works to ensure that hard-won market access is preserved and existing WTO rules are complied with.
"While New Zealand has been successful in securing a network of high quality free trade agreements, we believe that FTAs should complement and contribute to the WTO system.
"When it comes to trade issues, global solutions are the most effective ones."
McClay is having a range of bilateral meetings in Nairobi.
The WTO Ministerial Conferences take place every two years.
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).
The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
Through collaborative efforts with exhibitors, visitors, and industry partners, Fieldays says it is reaffirming its commitment to environmental responsibility with new initiatives for 2025.
Fonterra has announced a record forecast opening organic milk price of $12.30/kgMS for the new season.
OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…
OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…