Damien O’Connor Criticises Budget 2026 as ‘Miserable’ for Rural New Zealand
A miserable budget that didn’t deliver much for anyone.
The Hound can’t believe how full of hot air this Government is in demanding the ag sector reduce its carbon footprint – no matter what the cost – while it fails to do anything itself.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, with 16 members of his hugely expensive, invisible and ineffective Primary Sector Council, were more than happy to jet off around the world clocking up huge air miles and carbon gases to attend a glorified talkfest in the US.
O’Connor and his PSC lapdogs joined other NZ primary industry leaders at the recent Stanford University, California, for the annual Te Hono Bootcamp.
As a mate of yours truly asked, “Surely it would have been better for the planet to have these ag leaders meet in Wellington and have the Stanford University experts Skype in.”
Yes, but that’s not how the Government and its mates work.
An independent importer says National’s fertiliser security policy will only work if protects all players.
Nesting birds are behind around $1.2 million worth of tractor fire claims every year, according to rural insurer FMG, which is urging farmers to check under the bonnet before starting work.
Having Ravensdown as the naming rights sponsor of the Canterbury A&P Show demonstrates their confidence in the show as a long-term venture, says Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) board chair Sir David Carter.
OPINION: As election day looms, rural NZ seems to have pressed the pause button – held somewhat in limbo on an orange light.
Will drones be the answer to tackling the problem of wasp and hornet nests high up in trees and other inaccessible places?
Canterbury milk processor Synlait has come through tough times and is now ready to scale up from a stable base, says its newly confirmed CEO Leon Fung.

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