Rural Communities Receive Wellbeing Boost
The Government has announced its support for 18 community-based initiatives through its Rural Wellbeing Fund.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Japan’s passing of TPP legislation demonstrates their support for international trade liberalisation.
“It’s good to see the world’s third largest economy join New Zealand and show leadership on trade,” says McClay.
“With the Upper House endorsement on December 9, Japan has now completed its parliamentary process for the approval of the TPP Agreement. This follows New Zealand’s passage of the primary legislation necessary to ratify the agreement on November 15.
“This is an important step in the right direction and a signal to other nations,” says McClay.
“We must continue to champion the benefits of openness and inclusiveness. This remains the only way to secure prosperity for our economy and for generations to come.
“New Zealand is trading nation and fair access to markets is essential for the continued growth and stability of our economy.
“We currently have an ambitious trade agenda. We are negotiating regional, multilateral and bilateral agreements and will continue to look for opportunities for New Zealand exporters in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.
“Now, more than ever, the world needs leadership on trade and I congratulate Japan for passing their TPP legislation.”
Tracing has indicated that the source of the first velvetleaf find of the 2025-26 crop season, in Auckland, was likely maize purchased in the Waikato region.
Fish & Game New Zealand has announced its election priorities in its Manifesto 2026.
With the forage maize harvest started in Northland and the Waikato, the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is telling growers of later crops, or those further south, to start checking their maize crop maturity about three weeks prior to when they think they will start silage harvesting.
Irrigation NZ is warning that the government's Resource Management Act (RMA) reform risks falling short of its objectives unless water use for food production and water storage infrastructure are clearly recognised in the goals at the top of the new system.
More than five million trays, or 18,000 tonnes, of Zespri’s RubyRed Kiwifruit will soon be available for consumers across 16 markets this season.
The Government has announced its support for 18 community-based initiatives through its Rural Wellbeing Fund.

OPINION: Election years are usually regarded as the silly season, but a mate of the Hound reckons 2026 is shaping…
OPINION: If farmers poured just a few litres of some pollutant into a stream, the Green Party and the wider…