Major shakeup for the NZ science system
The government has announced a major restructuring of the country's seven crown research institutes (CRIs), which will see them merged into three public research organisations (PROs).
Early summer temperatures are expected to be average or above average range in the north and east of the North Island, but near average in other regions, say Niwa in its seasonal outlook.
Rainfall is likely to be near normal or below normal in all North Island regions and in Nelson-Marlborough, but near normal in other South Island regions.
Soil moisture and river flows are forecast to follow the same regional pattern as rainfall, except that soil moisture levels are likely to be below normal in the north of the North Island, and both soil moisture levels and river flows are likely to be below normal in the east of the North Island.
Oceanic indicators in the west and central tropical Pacific remain close to El Niño thresholds, but the atmosphere has yet to show any significant response to the warmer than normal sea surface temperatures.
The global forecast models indicate an approximately 50:50 chance of neutral versus weak El Niño conditions over the next three months. In the New Zealand region, lower than normal pressures are expected southeast of the Chatham Islands, with weakly enhanced south-westerly winds over New Zealand.
New Zealand milk production is off to a strong start, with the first month of the 2025/26 dairy season recording a whopping 17.8% jump in milk production, compared to the previous season.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy says getting meat processors involved has been a shot in the arm for the sector's key marketing initiative into China, Taste Pure Nature.
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Federated Farmers is vowing to keep the big banks accountable for their actions and to continue pushing for meaningful change in the rural lending sector.
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