Fonterra to close Canpac site, impacting 120 jobs
Fonterra is closing a milk powder blending and packaging site in Hamilton, a move that will affect 120 jobs.
THE CROSS-Tasman drift of clever Kiwis was briefly reversed earlier this month with 18 of those involved in Landcare activities in Australia attending the Landcare Trust conference in Hamilton.
Of course, the Aussies could claim that they did it first: Landcare in Australia began in Brisbane in 1986, and there are now over 4000 Landcare and 2000 Coastcare groups across the country. They even have Australian Landcare International.
Formed in 2008, it now operates in 16 countries, "working with communities on individual problems, supporting the introduction of a Landcare approach within local communities, and connecting Australian groups with new projects in other countries," says ACI chief, Rob Youl.
But we must be getting it right here, even though we got started 10 years later, because the conference visitors were mighty interested in our successful projects and by the close asking how we could learn from each other.
Rob McGowan, Nga Whenua Rahui, says they even wanted ideas and training on working harmoniously with indigenous people, because they think we do it better.
The New Zealand Trust is based in Hamilton and facilitates work to protect natural landscapes, clean waterways, cope with predators, and help indigenous fauna and flora thrive, by getting communities and local landowners, government organisations and funding agencies to work together.
The Trust's board incorporates senior members from many organisations with an interest in land management.
Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year Competition winners, selected by a panel of European journalists, were announced in Hanover Germany.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…