Bulk wine exports surpass packaged wine volumes
Data from February 2025 shows volumes of bulk wine exports exceeded packaged wine.
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.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.