Tuesday, 18 July 2023 15:55

MIA

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: The Hound is bitterly disappointed to learn that the Ministry of Education has awarded an American company the contract to install nylon carpet in 800 rural schools around the country.

This is a major slap in the face to NZ's struggling strong woolgrowers.

Where has the Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor been on this subject?

It seems, like his government, O'Connor is missing in action (MIA) again when it comes to backing the ag sector.

He is all talk and no action.

Especially since O'Connor was all talk when setting up the Wool Working Group and Wool Impact Ltd and claiming at the time it would be "fantastic" if strong wool became the first choice of fibre and businesses.

Did he speak to his counterpart Education Minister Jan Tinetti about this contract and ask if she had looked at the NZ wool option?

What's the bet he didn't?

Thanks - again - for nothing, Damien!

More like this

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.

Teaching educators

OPINION: It's hard to comprehend the ignorance and stupidity of the so-called leaders in the Ministry of Education who for some incomprehensible reason seemed hell bent on perpetuating the myth that agriculture is just for ‘dummies’.

Wrong focus

OPINION: Your old mate reckons townie Brooke van Velden, the Minister of Workplace (or is it Woke Place) Relations is now showing how underemployed she is as a minister by initiating an investigation into whether young children should be banned from collecting eggs on farms and feeding animals.

Burn the village

OPINION: There's an infamous term coined by a US general during the Vietnam war, specifically in reference to the battle of Ben Tre: "We had to burn the village to save it."

Purist problem

OPINION: The sudden departure of Jim Ward, manager of Molesworth Station for 24 years, highlighted some major dysfunction in the way conservation estate is managed in this country - the biggest problem, as the Hound sees it, being idealogues who harp on about "taonga" and use all means possible to block sensible commercial operations on conservation land.

Featured

Dairy Women’s Network Names 2026 Regional Leader Award Finalists

Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.

New Fungicide Approval Boosts NZ Potato Growers—Final Sign-Off Still Pending

Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.

Adam Williamson Appointed DairyNZ Associate Director for 2026–27

North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.

Fonterra Shareholders Urged to Consider Tax Implications

Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.

Future Dairy Leaders Join 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Development Programme

The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Young Breeders Development Programme is off to a strong start, with this year's intake coming together for their first event on March 18 and 19.

$10m Boost for Govt Coffers From Pāmu

State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special dividend to the Crown off the back of a strong outlook for the business and a capital repayment of $9.5 million following Fonterra's consumer business sale.