Election 2026: How Parties Would Lift the Arable Sector
As part of its Election 2026 coverage, Rural News asked political parties how they would help pull the arable sector out of the doldrums. Here's what they said:
Given the 34% blowout in the size of the Wellington bureaucracy in recent years, The Hound is all for it.
Between 2017 and 2023, ten departments increased staff numbers by more than 64%.
As for growth in absolute numbers, MBIE led the way at 2917 new staff.
MPI added 1300, so will no doubt be looked at.
All the same, despite the need for savings, it was pleasing to hear Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard say frontline biosecurity services at MPI will not be cut.
This is vital to defending our biggest export earner.
Cuts to MPI, if any, will need to be chosen very carefully.
