It's all about economics
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.
OPINION: This old mutt notes that the latest figures from Stats NZ show that in the quarter ending December 2022, the country’s ag sector decreased its emissions by 1.3% (132 kilotonnes).
All this was achieved without the implementation of an emissions levy or the introduction of the much criticised and deeply unpopular He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) scheme some industry leaders and the Government want to foist on the sector.
Since 2014, NZ’s ag sector has actually reduced its methane output by 7% and nitrous oxide by 1.5%.
However, despite these great achievements, not a word of praise for the sector efforts has come from the likes of the Government, the Green Party or multi-national, non-taxpaying lobby group Greenpeace.
In fact, the lack of recognition by such regular vocal critics of the ag sector has been deafening. No surprise there!
Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.
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.

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?