Celebrating success
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
New Zealand's border inspection system is getting a new fleet of x-ray machines.
Eleven x-ray machines will replace existing machines at Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown airports used to inspect both the checked-in and hand luggage of people arriving in New Zealand.
Auckland and Christchurch will also receive new technology to reduce the amount of handling required to load and unload luggage onto and off the x-ray machines.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy announced this at Horticulture NZ's annual conference today.
"The new x-ray images will be of a better quality than we currently have, which will make Quarantine Inspectors' jobs easier and more efficient," says Guy.
"This is the first step of a major equipment replacement programme as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen New Zealand's biosecurity system.
"This investment in one of the tools that the Ministry for Primary Industries uses at the border, along with the continuing recruitment of frontline Quarantine Inspectors and increases in dog handler teams," he says.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says access to personal banking services in rural communities is fundamental to promoting outcomes that benefit Kiwi consumers.
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods says despite a challenging business environment, it has posted a net profit before tax of $61 million for 2023.
The deer industry is working on getting more venison into Asia.
The red meat sector is welcoming the start of trade negotiations between New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).