The dirt on soil: Why healthy soil matters
OPINION: Every year, December 5 marks World Soil Day. This date wasn’t chosen at random, it’s the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, a passionate advocate for soil stewardship.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has started building their new hub in Whangarei, after a pre-dawn ceremony to bless the site yesterday.
The Whangarei hub is phase two of more than $50m of investment in the Northland region which the company says signals it’s long-term intent in Northland.
The existing infrastructure on the site at 223 Kioreroa Road will be upgraded to benefit the Northland regions expanding agricultural sector, including the horticulture industry.
Ballance will use the Kioreroa Road site for blending, bagging and distribution to customers around Whangarei and is the central distribution hub for Northland.
The Marsden Point site, opened 21 June, is a bulk storage and transitional facility for product coming directly from Northport, and a customer service centre.
“Kioreroa Road will be a place where vital nutrients for food production are blended using world leading technology, specifically designed for Northland farmers and growers in the wider region and our distribution network,” says Shane Dufaur, Ballance general manager: operations and supply chain.
Dufaur says the company will move from its current Port Road site to the new site in the 2022/23 season.
“Balance is focused on the future of farming and growing in Northland, that is why we have invested in precision automated technology and digital infrastructure that will enhance product quality and reliability of supply,” says Dufaur.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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