NZ red meat sector hits out at US tariff hike
New Zealand's red meat sector says the United States' decision to increase tariffs on New Zealand exports is disappointing.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy retained his portfolio in the new Cabinet unveiled by Prime Minister Bill English yesterday.
Guy was one of a handful of Ministers retaining their existing responsibilities; he keeps Primary Industries and Racing.
Prime Minister English, who took over the helm of the National-led Government after the sudden resignation of John Key, says his new Cabinet line-up builds on the success of the last eight years and provides new ideas and energy heading into election year.
“Over the last eight years National has provided a strong and stable Government which is delivering strong results for New Zealanders,” says English.
“This refreshed Ministerial team builds on that success and provides a mix of new people, alongside experienced Ministers either continuing their roles or taking up new challenges.
“This new Ministry is focused on providing prosperity, opportunity and security for all Kiwis, including the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett will remain the Minister of State Services and Climate Change Issues and will pick up the Police, Women and Tourism portfolios.
Steven Joyce will pick up Finance and Infrastructure, while Gerry Brownlee will remain the Leader of the House and retain Supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Defence, and the Earthquake Commission portfolios. He will also be appointed as the Minister of Civil Defence.
Big winners, Simon Bridges and Amy Adams have picked up additional senior ministerial responsibilities.
Bridges continues as the Minister of Transport and will pick up the Economic Development and Communications portfolios and Associate Finance, while Adams retains Justice, Courts and picks up Social Housing, Social Investment and Associate Finance. Adams will take a lead role in driving the Government’s social investment approach.
“Simon and Amy are two high performing Ministers who are ready to take on more responsibility. I am confident they will work well with Finance Minister Steven Joyce,” says English.
Jonathan Coleman continues in his Health and Sport and Recreation portfolios, and will play an important role on the front bench.
There are four new Ministers. Alfred Ngaro who goes straight into Cabinet and Mark Mitchell, Jacqui Dean and David Bennett who have been promoted to Ministerial positions outside Cabinet.
Judith Collins takes on new responsibilities in Revenue, Energy and Resources and Ethnic Communities, and is well placed to oversee the significant business transformation work occurring.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
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