New Order
OPINION: If old Winston Peters thinks building trade relations with new nations, such as India, isn't a necessary investment in our future, he has rocks in his head.
A shipment from Mataura has arrived in China, further expanding the company’s footprint in the premium chilled beef sector.
Alliance Group says it has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following the approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.
The company’s Levin and Mataura plants have received certification to process and export chilled beef to China, strengthening the co-operative’s ability to meet growing international demand.
Wayne Shaw, Alliance Group general manager safety and processing, says the approval strengthens the company’s global options.
The company has already successfully shipped its first load of chilled beef from its Levin plant, which cleared customs in China in early January.
A shipment from Mataura has arrived in China, further expanding the company’s footprint in the premium chilled beef sector.
“China remain a significant market for New Zealand red meat, with strong demand for high-quality, grass-fed beef,” says Shaw.
“The approval of additional processing plants gives Alliance greater flexibility in our supply chain and the ability to respond more effectively to market opportunities,” he says. “It also allows us to optimize processing capacity across our network, providing better outcomes for both our farmer shareholders and our customers.”
Shaw says the move aligns with Alliance’s long-term beef strategy.
“We’re continuing to invest in expanding our beef processing capabilities, including at our Levin plant, driving growth in our premium beef brands,” he concludes.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has resigned after eight years in the role.
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Kent Weir, speaking at an education day at Feilding aerodrome for 25 policymakers and regulators from central and local government and other rural professionals.

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