Taranaki economy shifts from oil and gas to dairy as leading export
The Taranaki region is enjoying one of the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita figures in New Zealand, thanks to high farmgate dairy prices.
Taranaki's flagship riparian management programme, which has "gone the extra mile" in developing relationships with dairy farmers, has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to protecting the environment.
The Taranaki Regional Council programme is a finalist in two categories of the Ministry for the Environment's 2013 Green Ribbon Awards: the Caring for Our Water and Public Sector Leadership categories.
Environment Minister Amy Adams announced the finalists in 11 award categories last week.
Adams says the council has "gone the extra mile in developing enduring relationships with dairy farmers to understand the best riparian practices for their land".
"They have shown commitment to addressing a crucial issue for New Zealand – how to ensure our agricultural sector can promote and implement sustainable resource management."
The council's chairman, David MacLeod, is delighted with the nomination.
"For almost two decades the council has worked closely with Taranaki dairy farmers to develop the riparian management programme—a voluntary programme to fence and plant riparian margins on the ring plain.
"The recognition is for the efforts of the Taranaki community which has shown leadership in protecting water quality through the riparian programme, alongside the sustainable development of an industry that is vital to Taranaki," says Macleod.
The awards are open to individuals, organisations, businesses and communities throughout New Zealand. There are three finalists in each category and the winners will be announced at a ceremony at Parliament on June 5, which is World Environment day.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
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