Australian teams to help repair North Canterbury irrigators after storm
Moves are afoot to get a team of Australians over here to help repair North Canterbury's irrigation machinery, ravaged by the big windstorm of late October.
The future for irrigating farmers in Otago will come under the spotlight at IrrigationNZ's first-ever AGM in the region next month.
The AGM will take place on Thursday 5 November. All irrigating farmers and potential irrigators are invited to attend a workshop beforehand at 10.30am, which will precede the 12.30pm AGM at the Cellar Door Restaurant in Alexandra.
IrrigationNZ CEO Andrew Curtis says the workshop will cover how national policy impacts irrigation in the region and how Otago irrigators can best equip themselves to benefit from this. The discussion will be based on a recent report that IrrigationNZ commissioned outlining the challenges and opportunities facing Otago irrigators.
"We'll be presenting the big picture of what's ahead for irrigators in this area. The regulatory barriers you need to be aware of, alongside the prospects for growth and innovation in our sector. If you're already irrigating, thinking about converting or upgrading irrigation infrastructure, you need to be at this workshop."
IrrigationNZ chair Nicky Hyslop and Curtis will present an overview of the national situation and IrrigationNZ's role in advocating for industry, while report author Suzie McKeague will highlight significant findings from her report around the prospects for Otago irrigators.
Rural contractors will be able to play a role in the revamped agricultural plastic recycling scheme with new regulations due for Cabinet signoff before this year’s election.
Farm workers living in accommodation provided by their employers are now set to be able to access their KiwiSaver funds to buy their first home thanks to a pending change in the rules governing KiwiSaver.
Treat agricultural emissions differently. That’s the message from the chair of the prestigious Riddet Institute, Sir Lockwood Smith.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc and Pacific Toyota have pulled the covers off the season's most unique performance vehicle - The Lamb Cruiser.
The 2026 New Zealand Horticulture Conference is set to see more than 900 growers, employers, service providers and industry stakeholders gather in Wellington in July.
New Zealand's longest running television programme, the iconic Country Calendar, celebrated its 60th birthday in style in Wellington last week.

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