Editorial: United strategy for wool
OPINION: Wool farmers believe the future of strong wool still holds promise.
Members of IHC’s North Canterbury Kapa Haka ropu performed at Ngai Tahu’s Te Whenua Hou farm in North Canterbury.
South Island agribusinesses Ngai Tahu Farming and PGG Wrightson were able to see first-hand the fruits of their continued support of IHC recently when members of IHC’s North Canterbury Kapa Haka ropu performed at Ngai Tahu’s Te Whenua Hou farm in North Canterbury.
PGG Wrightson has sponsored IHC’s Calf & Rural Scheme since its inception and Ngai Tahu Farming is a long-term generous calf donor. The IHC Calf & Rural Scheme has been raising money to support people with intellectual disabilities and their families in rural areas of New Zealand for 43 years.
The calf donations help IHC fund a number of community initiatives that make a big difference in people’s lives. Kapa haka is just one of those initiatives, where people with intellectual disability can connect with their respective iwi and enjoy the excitement of being part of a performing group.
Ngai Tahu Farming welcomed IHC’s North Canterbury Kapa Haka rōpū onto its farm, along with PGG Wrightson chief executive Stephen Guerin.
“We have a long affiliation with Ngāi Tahu Farming and the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme is a crucial part of our responsibility the community. This occasion was a wonderful way to weave together those threads and see the important impact of our support,” says Guerin.
Ngai Tahu Farming operations manager – dairy and assets Ben Jaunay said being a part of the IHC Calf & Rural scheme is a way for the business to express its manaakitanga values.
“Rearing calves for the scheme is a tangible way for us to give back to the community and directly support the IHC. On a personal level, it is incredibly rewarding mahi to be involved in.”
IHC national fundraising manager Greg Millar said “We love having the opportunity to say thank you and to show Ngai Tahu Farming and PGG Wrightson along with thousands of dairy farmers around the country what a huge difference their support to the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme makes in rural communities.”
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
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Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
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