New Waikato medical school backed by rural sector
Rural health advocates say the Government's decision to establish a new medical school at the University of Waikato augurs well for the rural sector.
Food issues will be dissected in the final of the University of Waikato Winter Lecture Series this week.
In from paddock to plate, two academics and a long-time chef will look at different aspects of food production, how it impacts the regional economy and people's pockets.
Professor of Agribusiness Jacqueline Rowarth thinks we should be paying more for food.
"As they do in many other countries in hidden ways such as taxation, allowing farmers to invest in technology that improves productivity, efficiency and farm sustainability," she says.
Professor Darrin Hodgetts thinks people are paying enough for food already and that food as a human right is increasingly not being realised by a growing number of New Zealanders.
Chef David Kerr, currently unable to cook after breaking his arm in six places at Fieldays, says he feels more like a scientist than a chef these days as more and more of his diners have allergies or food intolerance of some kind or other.
The lecture is on Wednesday, August 29 at 6pm in the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts.
OPINION: Trade Minister Todd McClay and the trade negotiator in government have presented Kiwis with an amazing gift for 2026 - a long awaited and critical free trade deal with India.
Former Agriculture Minister Nathan Guy says he's excited about his new role as NZ's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy.
A pillar of New Zealand's horticultural industry, Dr Stuart Davis, was farewelled at a well-attended funeral service in Tuakau, South Auckland, on December 18.
A stable but uncertain year lies ahead for New Zealand primary products, says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith.
Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.

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