Nestle reportedly withdraws from methane accord
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
The Government has asked the primary production select committee to open an inquiry into rural bank lending practices.
However, the probe will feed into an overall inquiry report on banking competition.
ACT MP and committee chair Mark Cameron says he look forward to discussing with members of his committee and the finance and expenditure committee the terms of reference for an inquiry.
He will also discuss holding joint meetings to hear evidence from submitters and preparing a report on rural banking to feed into an overall inquiry report on banking competition.
“I’ve heard from countless farmers about the disparity between rural and urban bank lending practices, and I have been working on this issue since I became chair last year.
“In February, the Committee opened a briefing into rural bank lending, and we heard numerous concerns from farmers and others in rural communities.
“Based on this feedback, the Committee considered this issue was worthy of further scrutiny.’
Cameron says banks play an important role in communities.
“And we must ensure they’re operating in the best interests of all New Zealanders. Where issues like overly burdensome regulation that pushes up costs and compliance exist, this is an opportunity to put a target on it.
“I look forward to progressing this important piece of work to ensure the best outcome for rural New Zealand.”
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Kent Weir, speaking at an education day at Feilding aerodrome for 25 policymakers and regulators from central and local government and other rural professionals.
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.

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