Is augmented reality the future of farming?
Imagine a farmer being able to tell a paddock’s pasture cover and dry matter content just by looking at it, or accessing information about a cow’s body condition score in the same way.
Linking rural health centres to broadband and a rapid reduction in mobile "black spots" around rural NZ are key areas of focus for RHĀNZ.
These critical areas were identified by the Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHĀNZ) following the 2016 Rural Connectivity Symposium.
RHĀNZ is a peak organisation with 42 member organisations, all interested in the health and wellbeing of rural communities.
RHĀNZ Chairperson, Dr Jo Scott-Jones, says access is the vital issue.
"If rural issues can be summarised in a single word it would be 'access'. Improved connectivity enables specialised health services to reach out into rural communities and for patients to link from home into their GP clinics. With rapid internet in rural communities we could develop and deliver more innovative health solutions with greater efficiency," he says.
Mobile black spots, especially along state highways in rural NZ, create unacceptable risks to the safety of tourists and residents.
"People working rurally are often required to work in isolation and in remote areas, being able to communicate is an important safety issue.
"Prospective staff members in both health services and other industries are often reluctant to move to rural areas where connectivity standards are sub-standard. This has impacts on the recruitment and retention of rural health providers into the regions."
RHĀNZ wants all of New Zealand to have access to affordable, reliable internet and mobile coverage and says there is a clear need for increased investment to achieve this for people living rurally.
"We applaud the government's initiatives to enhance connectivity in rural areas, we just want it sooner," Dr Scott-Jones says.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
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