Fieldays hold out the begging bowl
OPINION: When someone says “we don’t want a handout, we need a hand up” it usually means they have both palms out and they want your money.
The Mitsubishi Triton has obviously caught the eye of New Zealand’s ute buyers, as it sits in the top three in the sales league tables for this class of vehicle.
Those who are undecided might get a reason to make up their minds when they see a limited edition steed at Fieldays.
The Triton Charger-X is based on the top-of-the-range GLS, offering a premium package in only 300 examples in May and June.
Hi-grade leather upholstery is complemented by a 7 inch touch screen display for satnav and rear vision, while a stunning decal package makes this vehicle stand out from the crowd.
The 2.4L DID Mivec engine offers up 135kW and 437Nm of torque, providing excellent power-to-weight ratio and achieving a miserly 7.6L/100km fuel use.
The SuperSelect 4WD system includes all the usual choices, has the ability to be driven on-road in 4WD mode for grip and safety, and combines a diff lock function for when it gets really tough.
Safety gear includes seven airbag functions (ATC, ASC, ABS and EBD) and the vehicle has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
For those looking to do work, 1 tonne of stuff can be accommodated in the 2.23 sq m tray, said to be the longest and deepest in class, and payload of 3.1t should not see anyone complaining.
Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?