NZ Local Government Reform: Regional councils axed, CTBs proposed
The biggest reform of local government in more than 35 years is underway.
OPINION: The Hound reckons former Fed Farmers president Andrew Hoggard's move to stand for the Act Party at this year's election had to have been the worst kept secret in NZ agri-circles.
Hoggard follows in the footsteps of two other former Feds presidents, Owen Jennings and Don Nicolson, both of whom hitched their political colours to Act.
Hoggard will be hoping he emulates Jennings who managed to get a high enough list ranking to get into parliament, rather than Nicholson who missed out each time he stood.
Meanwhile, your old mate had to laugh at much of the commentary - mainly from beltway politicos - who claim securing Hoggard means all farmers will now vote Act instead of National.
If you take a look at the confirmed National candidates standing this election at least a dozen are farmers, compared to Act's two.
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Rural contractors want the Government to include a national standard for air plans as part of its Resource Management Act reforms.
The biggest reform of local government in more than 35 years is underway.
An industry-wide project led by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is underway to deal with the rising number of feral pests, in particular, browsing pests such as deer and pigs.
A Hawke's Bay apple grower says it's no longer profitable for him to export apples to the US because of the 15% tariff imposed on them by Donald Trump.
As the clock ticks towards the 3G mobile network shutdown, farmers are being warned to upgrade or risk losing connection to their supply chain.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.