Government Amends Stock Exclusion Regulations for Low-Intensity Grazing
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
The position supports key Government objectives, including ensuring New Zealand’s trading partners understand approach to agriculture and primary production and on raising the performance of agricultural and primary sector exports in global markets.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says Guy’s immediate priorities will be to advocate for New Zealand’s primary production interests from the perspective of a practising farmer.
“I have asked Guy to show particular focus on India and GCC markets, to leverage the opportunities that trade agreements with these countries would present.”
Guy is a dairy farmer and agribusiness leader. He served as Minister for Primary Industries between 2013 and 2017.
He is currently the chairman of the Meat Industry Association and independent chair of Apiculture New Zealand.
McClay says Guy’s background promoting New Zealand’s producers both as a Minister and as a farmer means that he is uniquely well placed to tell the story of New Zealand’s primary production sector to the world.
Guy replaces Hamish Marr, who has held the SATE role since 2023.
“Hamish has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s agricultural trade interests,” McClay says.
“He has been highly effective in conveying the message that New Zealand agriculture is not a threat to others but rather that we can complement our partners to our mutual advantage.”
Guy will take up the role on 1 January 2026.
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.

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