Dead in the water
OPINION: In a victory for common sense over virtue signalling, David Parker's National Policy Statement (NPS) work on freshwater is now dead in the water.
Your old mate was interested to see Trade Minister David Parker recently hailing the success of the revamped TPP trade deal.
According to Parker, the deal is “already delivering benefits for New Zealand”. Benefits for the ag sector include a reduction in the tariff on our beef into Japan, an increase in NZ butter exports to Canada and a doubling of our cheese exports to Mexico – in the month after the agreement came into force in January 2018.
This is all good stuff. However, the Hound wants to know if this David Parker now skiting about the success of the TPP is the same man who was marching in the streets in 2015 scare-mongering about the evils of the deal? While your old mate reckons it is good to see that Parker has had a change of heart, others might be less charitable and call him nothing but a hypocrite.
Farmers have until the end of this week to help shape DairyNZ’s future focus.
Wayne McNee, chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, has resigned and will leave the organisation on 15 January 2027.
The New Zealand dairy sector set a record in the 2025/26 season, producing more than two billion kilograms of milksolids for the first time.
Milk powder prices are continuing their merry run, firming up a potential $10/kgMS farmgate price this season.
Teachers are welcoming the outgoing Government’s U-turn allowing agriculture and horticultural science to remain a standalone Year 11 subject.
Outgoing ACT MP and dairy farmer Mark Cameron says Saturday’s election result reflects voters deeply impacted by the cost of living.

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