Helensville Farmers Win Auckland Supreme Award at Ballance Farm Environment Awards
Helensville farmers, Donald and Kirsten Watson of Moreland Pastoral, have been named the Auckland Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Trade Minister Tim Groser has welcomed the arrival of over 500 negotiators from 11 countries to Round 15 of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, which run from today (December 3) until December 12 in Auckland.
"A comprehensive 21st century agreement would provide many more opportunities to New Zealand businesses to grow their trade and investment footprint in the region."
The Government's free-trade agenda is part of its wider programme to build a more productive and competitive economy that will help New Zealand businesses grow, create jobs and sell more of their products and services around the world.
Collectively the 11 TPP economies have a total population of 650 million people and represent around US$21 trillion in GDP.
The round follows last week's meeting in Phnom Penh where seven TPP leaders, including Prime Minister Key, expressed a common interest to seek to conclude a high-quality deal in 2013.
Canada and Mexico will take part in the TPP negotiations for the first time.
"Their participation represents a key step towards a regional free trade agreement and reinforces TPP's potential as a pathway to towards increased trade and economic integration around the Asia-Pacific," Groser says.
New Zealand farmers have been told they all have amazing people on their farms and have been urged to be “that one person” that can make a huge difference to those going through tough times.
OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.
The stark realities of the world trade that New Zealand is having to face have been revealed by Trade Minister Todd McClay.
New Zealand and the European Union are closer than ever.
The latest data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) reveals a mixed rural property market due to consistent inflation concerns.
Animal welfare improvements as well as reduced costs for dairy farmers are at the heart of a new move which could help cut back on the waste of unused vet drugs.

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