McRae Wins Southern South Island B+LNZ Director Vote
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.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has announced a partnership with Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
The move is claimed to herald a new era of support for Kiwi Olympians, building upon a foundation of backing New Zealanders, and extending to encompass the entire New Zealand Team as they gear up for success at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
NZOC chief executive Nicki Nicol says the partnership is a natural fit.
“Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s ongoing support of our celebrated athletes is a testament to their commitment to sport and excellence in New Zealand,” Nicol says.
“We’re thrilled to have them join our family of partners,” she adds.
Echoing this sentiment, Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Kit Arkwright says the Olympic Games are a pinnacle of national pride.
“Much like our dedicated farmers, the New Zealand Team consistently delivers outstanding performances,” he says. “We’re excited to support them as they prepare to make their mark in Paris.”
The partnership aims to bring together rural communities and the Olympic spirit.
Arkwright highlighted the deep respect and support from farmers towards past Iron Maidens, encouraging them to rally behind the Fern this year.
“Our farmers and all food producers play a crucial role in fuelling our athletes, and we hope they take pride in the quality produce that powers New Zealand’s success on the global stage,” he says. “They are feeding the Fern.”
Beef + Lamb New Zealand ambassador and Olympic Rugby Sevens player, Stacey Waaka, says she is excited about the partnership.
“As both an athlete and an ambassador for Beef + Lamb New Zealand, I am thrilled to see these two worlds align,” she says.
“The values of commitment, excellence, and community that run deep in both the Olympic Games and the agricultural heritage represented by Beef + Lamb New Zealand resonate strongly with me.
“This partnership signifies a powerful union that will undoubtedly inspire and fuel our journey towards success in Paris 2024,” Waaka says.
Waikato agribusiness leader Geoff Maber has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.
Potatoes New Zealand and Garden to Table have partnered together to celebrate a versatile vegetable and the people behind it.
Mainland Poultry has confirmed new ownership of its vertically integrated agribusiness with Pacific Equity Partners Gateway (PEP Gateway) now joining current shareholders Navis.
The recently published State of the Industry -Tractors and Machinery 2025 from the Australian Tractor and Machinery Association (TMA), the equivalent of New Zealand’s TAMA, gives an interesting perspective of the industry.
Strong competition and tightening supply have seen wool reach its highest prices paid at auction since 2011.
The Government is funding a feasibility study to investigate what would be required for a successful farmer-led purchase of the McCain Foods' vegetable processing site in Hastings.

OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
OPINION: This old mutt went to school to eat his lunch, but still knows the future of the country, and…