Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade
When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.
OPINION: Your old mate well realises that politicians are slippery types.
However, he reckons the Government's decision to announce its final agricultural emissions policy just a couple of days before Christmas, when most media have knocked off for the year and people are busy readying themselves for the holidays, is one of the most cynical and gutless moves he's seen.
How cynical was it of Ag Minister Damien O'Connor and PM Jacinda Ardern to make possibly the biggest announcement to impact on agriculture in this country since the reforms of the 1980s and then bugger off on holiday or 6 weeks!
Perhaps, just like their government's equally cynical move to pass the deeply unpopular 3 waters legislation right on the eve of end-of-year, they hope people will forget about it.
Fat chance - especially with an election year in the offing!
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.
In partnership with Growing Future Farmers (GFF), Fonterra says it is increasing support for young people entering the dairy industry with a new two-year programme.

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?