Federated Farmers urge government to honour KiwiSaver promise
Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on its pre-election promise to change the KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the farming ladder.
News that Winstone Pulp International is proposing to cease operations at its two New Zealand mills has been labelled as ‘terrible’ for the Rangitīkei, says the region’s MP Suze Redmayne.
Earlier this month, Winstone Pulp International paused work at its two sites, the Tangiwai Sawmill and the Karioi Pulpmill.
Yesterday, employees were told the company proposed to close the sites indefinitely, citing the high cost of wholesale energy prices.
If the proposal were to go ahead, approximately 230 people would be out of work.
Redmayne says the announcement will be “incredibly tough” for the Ruapehu District community.
“As one of our biggest employers, Winstone Pulp’s closure will have a massive impact on our local families and economy,” she says.
She says the potential job losses underline the importance of affordable housing, reliable energy to the New Zealand economy.
“The Government is moving at pace to reverse Labour’s energy policies that have been disastrous for the country and introduce policies that will ensure Kiwi businesses and households have access to affordable and reliable energy,” Redmayne adds.
“In the meantime my heart goes out to all the staff at Winstone Pulp, and indeed the wider community who share the loss of a great local business which has made a significant contribution to our region for decades,” she concludes.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
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