Labour Supports NZ/India FTA
National's decision to ‘dribble’ information about the NZ/India to Labour contributed to the delay in it deciding to supported the FTA.
Budget 2020 makes major investments in the primary sector that will support more than 10,000 people into jobs, claims Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
He says there are significant employment opportunities in the primary industries and Government will be training people to have the skills they need for the jobs in the sector.
“To that end, we’re investing $19.3* million in a range of initiatives that will partner and support more than 10,000 New Zealanders in primary sector jobs by rapidly retraining and absorbing workers displaced from other sectors like hospitality, tourism and aviation,” O’Connor says.
Meanwhile, he says $128* million committed to control wilding pines and wallabies would protect farmers from costly pests and provide jobs for people most affected by COVID-19.
“The wilding pine funding will be a game changer in our fight against a pest that is a $4.6 billion threat to our economy, while providing up to 600 jobs,” O’Connor claims.
“Around $28* million for Wallaby control will focus our efforts against this destructive pest and provide dozens of jobs.
O’Connor adds that the Budget also includes a $433 million package to fund 4,000 jobs over five years in regional environmental projects.
“The initiatives in this package will support the Government’s objectives in its Action for Healthy Waterways.”
* These figures are over a four-year period
OPINION: After much wrangling, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between New Zealand and India is a step closer to fruition.
North Otago farmer Leilani Lobb has been named the 2026 Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) Regional Leader of the Year.
There's optimism emerging among farmers on the Chatham Islands after years of an irregular and poor shipping service.
Bay of Plenty leader and General Manager of Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust, Hinehou Timutimu, has been announced as the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
A large-scale modern orchard development in coastal Mid-Canterbury is expected to eventually produce 116 million apples a year from 900,000 trees while also becoming a significant employer for the region.
Silver Fern Farms has announced a major capital investment valued at over $100 million to redevelop freezing, cold storage, and automation facilities at its Finegand Site near Balclutha.

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