Need for Science Investment Reset
OPINION: New Zealand's prosperity has always been built on farmers and scientists working together to shape our economy.
OPINION: As this old mutt suggested in the last issue, MPI looks a very good candidate for some serious public sector savings that the government is currently looking for.
This follows news that the MPI has started consulting staff on proposals that will see 384 jobs cut as it aims to trim its workforce by 9%.
Around 40% of those roles are currently vacant and will not be filled.
In the last five years alone, MPI have employed 1100 new staff.
Of course, as soon as the cost cutting was announced, the public service union has tried to run a scare campaign claiming these cuts will see the likes of M. bovis and Psa programmes gutted and risking NZ exports.
However, the fact is Psa was wiped out years ago and currently there are no active M. bovis cases in the country.
What does the union want?
Thousands of underemployed bureaucrats sitting around in offices, twiddling their pens on $100k plus a year? Get real!
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special divident 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.
OPINION: As the fuel crisis hits the country and rural New Zealand in particular, perhaps it's time to turn to one of the kaumatua of the rural sector, Pita Alexander - farm accountant, advisor and a source of knowledge and insightfulness.
Katie Milne, former Federated Farmers president, has been announced as the National Party’s candidate for the West Coast-Tasman electorate.
Alliance has announced two key appointments within its senior leadership team.
A Rangitikei farmer has been indefinitely banned from owning animals and sentenced to serve 9 months and 3 weeks’ home detention following animal welfare failures that caused the death of more than 140 animals.
Potatoes New Zealand is reflecting on its legacy of innovation, resilience and a commitment to growers as it gets ready to mark its birthday on 17th April.

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