Let Farmers Decide What They Farm
OPINION: Well, the silly season is upon us and all us politicians are running around shaking babies and kissing hands, or maybe the other way around.
OPINION: This old mutt is dumbfounded by the ill-informed claims made by some media commentators that wannabe ACT PM and former Fed Farmers boss Andrew Hoggard will be the Minister of Agriculture in a possible National/ACT coalition government, should they get across the line on October 14.
As one insider told yours truly, these supposed ‘informed’ commentators should spend less time interviewing their typewriters and get out and talk to people in the know.
It is understood that the many rural candidates and MPs in National reckon claims that Hoggard would be elevated straight into the ag portfolio in any Nat/ACT coalition are about as fanciful as Green MP Chloe Swarbrick getting the job.
The Nats are fighting hard to regain the rural vote and are highly unlikely to give their junior coalition partner the gold-plated job of Ag Minister in any government they are part of.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.

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