Editorial: So long, RMA
OPINION: Metaphorically, the funeral arrangements are being put in place to bury one of the largest and most complex pieces of legislation – the 34-year-old Resource Management Act (RMA).
OPINION: Your old mate welcomes the proposed changes to local government but notes it drew responses that ranged from the reasonable to the ridiculous, depending on what axe people had to grind.
Dr Deon Swiggs, chair of Canterbury Regional Council was measured: “I’m committed to working constructively with Government on reforms that deliver better outcomes.”
Fed Farmers spokesperson Sandra Faulkner was positive: “This discussion is long overdue and will be welcome news for farming families and rural ratepayers.”
But, predictably, and in line with other unions, the PSA’s national secretary Duane Leo had absolutely nothing positive to say about National’s proposal: “There is no clarity around the reform. These reforms continue the Government’s ongoing focus on marginalising Maori in local decision making.”
No surprises there!
There's optimism emerging among farmers on the Chatham Islands after years of an irregular and poor shipping service.
Bay of Plenty leader and General Manager of Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust, Hinehou Timutimu, has been announced as the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
A large-scale modern orchard development in coastal Mid-Canterbury is expected to eventually produce 116 million apples a year from 900,000 trees while also becoming a significant employer for the region.
Silver Fern Farms has announced a major capital investment valued at over $100 million to redevelop freezing, cold storage, and automation facilities at its Finegand Site near Balclutha.
A firm belief in the agricultural sector has kept the PGG Wrightson business going for 175 years, says chief executive Stephen Guerin.
The country'a largest A&P Show - Canterbury - will be "back where it belongs" this year, running from the Wednesday through Friday of Christchurch's iconic Cup Week, after a two-year experiment of running Thursday to Saturday instead.

OPINION: When Donald Trump returned to the White House, many people with half a brain could see the results for…
OPINION: Media trust has tanked because of what media's more woke members do and say.