Editorial: Testing times
OPINION: Our hearts go out to the farmers and rural communities in Southland and Otago who are battling an onslaught of adverse weather.
The Cyclone Recovery Taskforce has been wound down with responsibilities transferred to the Cyclone Recovery Unit, says Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell.
“In making this decision, we have considered how the recovery structures have evolved, and in particular the role of the Cyclone Recovery Unit to coordinate and prioritise the recovery programme,” says Mitchell.
“I acknowledge and commend chairman Sir Brian Roche and members of the taskforce for the integral role they have played in helping regions and communities recover and rebuild from the 2023 North Island weather events, and for their support across government.”
“In the last year they have made a great deal of progress facilitating property categorisation work between central and local government, collaborating with the insurance sector, and coordinating discussions between banks leading to support packages for businesses and the primary sector.”
Roche will remain as an advisor to the Ministry for Emergency Management and Recovery.
He will continue to build on the taskforce's work on how New Zealand can be better placed for future large-scale disasters as well as support the Minister as needed in progressing the recovery.
“The Government is fully committed to the recovery, and we are working with local authorities to identify how we can make it go faster while consolidating the work within government to ensure efficiency,” says Mitchell.
As expected, Alliance Group will close its Smithfield meat processing plant in Timaru, South Canterbury, making hundreds of workers redundant.
Michael and Cherie Berkers’ Holstein Friesian herd exemplifies how breeders can consistently develop successful cow families by seizing opportunities for improvement year after year.
A dairy quota dispute between New Zealand and Canada is heading to mandatory negotiations.
A new collaboration is underway to improve the genetic links between the New Zealand and Nordic Jersey cattle populations.
Rare Canterbury mudfish and tadpole shrimp have been discovered at an environmental restoration site at Bennetts Stream in North Canterbury which is part of a biodiversity initiative being carried out by Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Southland farmers want the Government to strip Fish & Game of their advocacy function and refocus the organisation on the management of hunting and fishing.
OPINION: Former politicians seem incapable of staying away from the limelight after they retire.
OPINION: The latest travel receipts for MPs are in (April – June 2024).