M.I.A.
OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Auckland will stay in COVID-19 Alert Level 3 until 11:59pm 30 August.
The rest of the country will remain at Alert Level 2.
Ardern’s announcement follows a Cabinet meeting today and the advice of Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.
The lockdown was originally aimed at ending at midnight on Wednesday.
Ardern says the Government wants confidence and certainty before moving Auckland down to Alert Level 2. She says this will require falling numbers and clear evidence the cluster is being circled.
Ardern says with Bloomfield's guidance, such confidence and certainty could be achieved this week.
She says restrictions on mass gatherings will remain in Auckland on Monday, even if it moves down to Level 2.
The rest of the country will remain at Level 2 for another week.
She says these two settings will be reviewed by Sunday 6 September, one week from the extension ending.
Masks will also be required at Level 2 and above levels on public transport from Monday.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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