Fonterra’s Pierre Venter named next vice chancellor of Massey University
The head of Fonterra's R&D facility in Palmerston North is set to literally cross the road and become the new vice chancellor at Massey University.
(From top-left): hanskrieksafe, ahoggardfedfarms, jcollinsminister. (From bottom-left): johnkeypm, johnmcarthymie, tgrosserusambassador, tspieringsfonterra.
Rural News' irreverent and hypothetical look at what's happening in the farming world.
hanskrieksafe: Assh a well-known animalsh lover – and not jusht in the biblical senshe – I find it rathsher dishturbing that in New Zhealand dairy farmshers actshually farmsh dairy cowshs. #veganforlife #meatismurder
ahoggardfedfarms: So @hanskrieksafe, you sat on that bobby calf footage for 15 months before releasing it to a sensationalist TV programme? Good thing you care more about animal welfare than publicity, eh! #fullofit #meattastesgood
hanskrieksafe: Listshen @ahoggardfedfarms, I do lovesh little birdsh, wormsh, sheepsh and calvesh, but it is justsh that I lovesh publishity more! #mediawhore
ahoggardfedfarms @hanskrieksafe: To misquote Nigel Powers – father of Austin – there are only two things I hate in this world : racial intolerance and Dutch animal extremists! You just hit the jackpot. #2for1 #nutjob
jcollinsminister: Thanks@johnkeypm for reinstating me back into the Cabinet. It makes it much easier for me to stab you in the front now; rather than in the back from the backbenches. #backinthetent
johnkeypm: No worries @jcollinminister, but I might borrow one of those stab-proof vests you introduced to the force last time you were police minister. #watchingmybackfrontandsides
johnmcarthymie: It's great to see that MIE will continue fighting the good fight in the meat industry – despite more resignations from its executive than Colin Craig's political party. Actually I wonder if Colin is available to join MIE? #whatisthepoint #whatdowedonow #whoisleft #whocares
tgrosserusambassador: I'm off to the US of A to try to negotiate with the likes of Donald Trump and the gun lobby – much more rational proponents than trying to get sense out of the anti-TPP fanatics like Jane Kelsey or climate change doomsayers in the Green Party! #bliss #solongsuckers
tspieringsfonterra: You know I havshe mucsh in commonsh withsh @hanskrieksafe – we are both Dutchsh and both of ussh are shlowy destroying the NZ dairy indushtry in our own waysh. #doubledutch #timeforanotherpayrise
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

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