Make it 1000%!
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of 125% on the US, up from the 84% announced earlier.
OPINION: This old mutt has been contacted by a number of members of rural insurer FMG expressing concern about the jump in director fees this year.
According to its latest annual report, the rural insurer made a profit of $59.3 million in the '20-'21 year and total director fees came to $438,000 with chair Tony Cleland pulling in an average stipend of $100k.
However, in the '21-'22 year, FMG's profit was down to $22.8 million, yet total director fees jumped to $557,000 - with the chair earning $113k.
FMG is a mutual and according to its own PR, 'it was set up in 1905 to give farmers a better deal...'
However, according to some disgruntled FMG members, the only ones who seem to be getting a better deal from the rural insurer are its well remunerated directors.
Maybe there'll be questions about this at its annual meeting later this month.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.