Open letters
OPINION: Your old mate isn't really a fan of the recent trend toward collective whinging, otherwise known as an 'open letter'.
Rural Communities and Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty has added yet another portfolio to his list.
The Wairarapa MP picked up the Regional Development portfolio after Kiri Allan dropped all her portfolios after she was arrested Sunday following a car accident on Evans Bay Parade in Wellington.
The addition of the Regional Development portfolio brings McAnulty’s roster up to six portfolios, including Minister for Racing and Deputy Leader of the House.
He’d previously picked up the Minister for Emergency Management role from Allan in the June 2022 cabinet reshuffle and following former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s resignation in January this year, he also picked up the Local Government portfolio from Nanaia Mahuta.
At a press conference yesterday announcing the reallocation of Allan’s portfolios, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the move to make McAnulty Regional Development Minister fit with his current Rural Communities portfolio.
It was also announced that Finance Minister Grant Robertson would take over the lead coordination role for Tairawhiti.
“Grant Robertson is already leading the Government’s rolling maul of initiatives supporting communities impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle,” says Hipkins.
Also picking up a portfolio is Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor who will support Transport Minister David Parker in an Associate Minister’s role.
Hipkins says that with five weeks until Parliament rests ahead of the election in October, he didn’t want to make any additional MPs a Minister, believing the roles to be evenly spread.
Currently, there are 25 Ministers in the Executive, with 18 of them Cabinet Ministers.
“Between now and the election our singular focus must be on making life better for everyday Kiwis. That is what I have sought to do, and I need everyone to do the same,” he says.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) awards. As part of a series looking at this year’s rural winners, Leo Argent talked with Ginny Dodunski, winner of the Veterinary Impact Award for raising the profile of the Wormwise programme.
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