Winston's crusade
OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer and associated businesses.
OPINION: One particular bone the Hound has been gnawing on for years now is how the chattering classes want it both ways when it comes to the success of NZ's dairy industry.
When it's bad news - water quality, losses when commodity prices crash, etc. - the loudmouths are very clear that it's "their" (the industry's) problem.
But when they feel domestic butter prices are too high, or that Fonterra shouldn't "sell the family jewels", it's suddenly "our milk" and "our industry".
So, note to those like Helen Clark who suddenly have an opinion on Fonterra's business decisions - this is not China and Fonterra is not the property of some communist bureaucracy, it's a privately owned business.
The only ones who get to decide if they should sell assets are the ones who built those assets with blood, sweat and tears!
Following recent storms in the region, the 69th edition of the Tour of Southland cycling event has been postponed.
A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.
An increasing number of students are doing agricultural and horticultural degrees at Massey University by distance learning.
ANZ New Zealand is encouraging farmers and businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather that hit Southland and South Otago last week to seek support if they need it.
When Professor Pierre Venter takes up his new role as vice chancellor at Massey University next February it will just be a matter of taking a few steps across the road to get to his new office at the Palmerston North Campus.

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