Time for action
OPINION: If David Seymour's much-trumpeted Ministry for Regulation wants a serious job they need look no further than reviewing the rules and regulations governing members of the so-called House of Representatives.
OPINION: The death of Dame Tariana Turia is a loss for the country and a reminder of how far the quality of politician has fallen in the party she founded.
In contrast to the circus that the Māori Party has become, Turia put results before grandstanding, working with whoever was in power.
Now we have divisive politics, threats of violence, and as Winston Peters claims, "economic sabotage", the party allegedly sending a letter to all companies who applied for fast-track consideration, trying to undermine investment confidence.
"If true, they have shown what extremist economic morons they are and how little they value the future of our country," he says. "They have threatened these private companies with economic sabotage and condemning NZ to a bankrupt future - all because of their delusional and separatist views."
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.