Editorial: Sense at last
OPINION: For the first time in many years, a commonsense approach is emerging to balance environmental issues with the need for the nation's primary producers to be able to operate effectively.
While electric and hybrid vehicles gain traction on our roads, the concept is largely missing from the rural and off-road markets. But Hisun Motors New Zealand is ‘dipping its toes’.
It chose Fieldays to showcase its all electric Hisun Sector E1 UTV -- a mid-size, two-seat unit powered by a 48V AC drivetrain of 36hp and 298 Nm of torque.
The E1 is said to be the first electric UTV to use Discover Traction Dry Cell battery technology that has long run times and needs no maintenance.
Hisun claims the Sector E1 will operate for up to eight hours on a single charge, has a top speed of 45km/h and a range of up to 70km depending on driving style, terrain and load.
Several E1 machines have been field tested on NZ farms and the performance has matched factory estimates.
The E1 can be fully charged in six-eight hours via an onboard charging cord, located in the glovebox, which plugs into a standard 240v domestic power outlet.
Standard features include 4-wheel independent nitrogen suspension, 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, front diff lock, tilting tray, alloys and bull bars.
Load capacity for the cargo bed is 230kg and towing capacity is 680kg. Price is $16,500 + GST.
OPINION: Nothing it seems can be done in the short term to get Donald Trump to change his mind about removing the unfair 15% tariffs that he’s imposed on New Zealand exports to the US.
A charity that connects young people with farmers for two years of on-farm training is reporting 150 student applications for its 2026 intake.
It’s been a long time coming, but the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is returning to the Naki for Season 58.
The Government has appointed three new members to the board of state farmer Landcorp Farming Ltd, trading as Pāmu.
North Canterbury pig farmer Steve Sterne has been honoured with NZ Pork's Outstanding Contribution Award, recognising his 27 years of dedication to excellence in the sector.
Hawke's Bay's loss is Canterbury's gain with the opening of a new state-of-the-art soil testing laboratory for the Ravensdown subsidiary ARL (Analytical Research Laboratories) at Rolleston.