OPINION: Your canine crusader finds it ironic that the pompously self-proclaimed ‘champion’ of the provinces and ‘first citizen’ of regional NZ, Shane Jones, is single handedly destroying the regions.
OPINION: Remember when Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, about a year ago, launched his new baby the Primary Sector Council (PSC) to a whole lot of fanfare and cost to the taxpayer?
OPINION: A few weeks back, this old mutt pointed out the folly and useless virtue signaling of the Canterbury Regional Council (Ecan) in declaring a ‘climate emergency’.
OPINION: Reports to your old mate tell of farmers who have tried, without success, to re-register with NAIT when prompted to do so by emails from OSPRI.
Monty Python's ‘Ministry of Silly Walks’ sketch sprang to the Hound’s mind as he pondered New Zealand’s most unnecessary government department – you will likely never have heard of it – the Walking Access Commission.
This old mutt was a little surprised to hear Winston Peters and Shane Jones both putting the boot into farmers recently over the legitimate concerns the sector has raised about the proposed methane reduction targets set by the Government in its climate change legislation.
Fonterra has copped a fair bit of stick from the Hound over the years. However, on this occasionyour old mate would like to give the dairy co-op some well-deserved praise.
A mate of the Hound reckons it is rather ironic – and totally appropriate – that the failing Australian-owned and controlled Stuff media group (which is up for sale) is using a dairy farmer who went pear-shaped as a font of all knowledge in its fast disappearing farming pages.
The recent announcement by Silver Fern Farms that Richard Young is the new chairman of the meat co-operative got this old mutt thinking this is a true case of ‘poacher turned gamekeeper’.
Your canine crusader has yet more to report from his growing list of ‘Landcorp fails’.
It's no wonder your canine crusader rolls his eyes whenever he hears about public servants developing new ideas.
Your old mate reckons plenty of the current crop of MPs in Parliament would struggle to read, let alone make laws for this country.
The Hound's not-so favourite government department, the state-run farmer formerly known as Landcorp, has proven that it is not just a poorly-performing entity but that it can’t even pick winners with the current Government policy.
PM Jacinda Ardern may have many talents, but an understanding of business is clearly not one of them.
Your canine crusader admires those people in high positions who do not take their own self-importance too seriously and are willing to take the proverbial out of themselves.
Your old mate notes that Fed Farmers Marlborough Philip Neal caused a bit of a stir recently when he claimed in a newsletter column that proposed new taxes being raised by the government would hurt farmers and benefit many who don’t deserve it.
The Hound notes that former Meat Industry Excellence (MIE) member Mark Patterson is now trying to use the same anti-Chinese sentiment the failed group used to oppose the takeover by Yili of Westland Milk.
The Hound, like everyone else in New Zealand, was shocked and stunned by the senseless shootings in Christchurch last month.
Well-known South Canterbury dairy farmer John Gregan questioned BLNZ chair, at last month’s annual meeting, Andrew Morrison about his organisation’s treatment of dairy farmers.
A mate of the Hound reckons the readers of the darling publication of left-wingers and liberals — The Guardian newspaper — should take its stories about farming and animal welfare with a large grain of salt.
Your old mate was interested to see Trade Minister David Parker recently hailing the success of the revamped TPP trade deal.
In a follow-up to this old mutt’s piece two issues ago about Fonterra directors getting to grips with the co-op’s financial state and loudly sharing their dismay in the Koru club, another of the Hound’s spies has passed on more news in the ‘Fonterra director watch’ category.
There are many stories from ‘the impossible to believe, but believable’ files that your old mate is often told about.
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The Hound
Death by trees
OPINION: Your canine crusader finds it ironic that the pompously self-proclaimed ‘champion’ of the provinces and ‘first citizen’ of regional…
All sizzle
OPINION: Remember when Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, about a year ago, launched his new baby the Primary Sector Council (PSC)…