Thursday, 26 March 2020 15:23

Bonkers!

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

The Hound reckons news that an Austrian billionaire has been granted consent to purchase an $8m Hill Country farm, is living proof that the NZ First’s billion tree policy is a disaster for farming in this country.

The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) has granted Wolfgang Leitner consent to buy the 800ha property located in Kotemaori, Wairoa and convert it to forestry.

The property known as Ponui Station currently has 714ha being grazed by sheep and beef stock. Leitner plans to plant a further 640ha of commercial forest, it currently has just 14ha of existing commercial forestry.

According to the real estate listing the farm is described as “clean, healthy country, sought after scale, and opportunity to extend farm capability.”

Meanwhile, this isn’t Leitner’s first farm purchase in NZ, having been granted consent to buy the $4.5m, 489ha Ngapuke Station in Gisborne last September.

More like this

Editorial: New Treeland?

Editorial: New Treeland?

OPINION: Forestry is not all bad and planting pine trees on land that is prone to erosion or in soils which cannot support livestock farming makes sense.

Farmer warns of hidden risks from forestry neighbours

Farmer warns of hidden risks from forestry neighbours

Farmers who find the land next to them is about to be converted into forestry, face potential damage and costly consequences.

Forestry company fined $112,500 for evironmental breaches near Waihi

Convictions and fines totalling $112,500 have been imposed on a logging company for repeated environmental damage on a farm near Wahi between August 2022 and October 2023.

B+LNZ calls for government action as sheep and beef farm sales to forestry climb

Red meat farmers are urging the Government to act on the growing number of whole sheep and beef farm sales for conversion to forestry, particularly carbon farming.

No to pines

OPINION: Forests planted for carbon credits are permanently locking up NZ’s landscapes, and could land us with more carbon costs, says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE).

Popular Reads

Fonterra to boost UHT cream production with $150m plant

With Fonterra's UHT plant at its Edendale site less than a year from completion, demand continues to grow for products…

Bold taste wins gold medal

Alliance Group's Pure South Handpicked 55 Day Aged Beef has been recognised on the world stage, securing top honours at the…

Pamu and LIC to launch Synergizer

The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near…

Divestment means Fonterra can focus on its strengths

OPINION: Fonterra's board has certainly presented us, as shareholders, with a major issue to consider.

Rising energy prices put NZ meat processing industry under pressure

Rising energy prices are putting financial pressure on the meat processing industry, according to the chair of Meat Industry Association, Nathan…

Featured

Dean Astill reflects as Young Horticulturist of the Year comp turns 20

Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.

Carrfields invests in new Ashburton R&D hub

The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.

Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.

Elite sheep dogs to go head-to-head at Ashburton A&P Show

A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.

Fewer bobby calves as dairy farmers shift to beef breeding

Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.

Low-footprint feed drives high-profit, low-emissions dairy

The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

National

Tributes paid to Jim Bolger

Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church…

Todd McClay urges farmers to prioritise safety amid storm

Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they…

Royal A&P Show Returns to Canterbury: Record livestock entries and renewed prestige

The Royal A&P Show of New Zealand, hosted by the Canterbury A&P Association, is back next month, bigger and better…

Farmers Lead Sustainability Push: Woodchip bioreactor cuts nitrate runoff in Manawatu

Claims that farmers are polluters of waterways and aquifers and 'don't care' still ring out from environmental groups and individuals.…

MPI’s Diana Reaich: Building global trade relationships

Relationships are key to opening new trading opportunities and dealing with some of the rules that countries impose that impede…

Machinery & Products

Case IH's expanded Optum Series shorter, lighter and faster

Currently available in New Zealand in 250, 270, 300 and 400 horsepower options, Case IH’s Optum Series is being readied…

Kubota to start field testing robotic tractor

Kubota has announced plans to start field testing the autonomous hydrogen powered fuel cell tractor it recently unveiled at Expo…

New player set to enter SP Mower market

While the Krone Big M has set the standard for many years, sources close to Rural News, with an ear…

US tariffs hit European ag machinery markets

The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural…

Claas unveils next-generation large square baler concept ahead of Agritechnica 2025

Innovation awards at international agricultural events are always on the wishlist of manufacturers.

» Latest Print Issues Online

dairynewscover

ruralnewscover

winegrowercover

The Hound

Red faced

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…

» Connect with Rural News

RSS Facebook Twitter

» eNewsletter