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: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day for the agricultural sector, kicking to touch the single biggest handbrake on agricultural productivity and rural economies – the much-hated RMA.
But like RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, your old mate worries that the ‘can’t do’ types that infect the Kiwi culture these days will try and stifle the change.
Like in the education system, we’ve seen the politicised activists in councils push back against changes imposed by the current mob.
For the sake of the country, Bishop shouldn’t spare the rod to ensure the petty, negative Sir Humphries at council level don’t sink this revolution before it starts.
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.
Pāmu has welcomed ten new apprentices into its 2026 intake, marking the second year of a scheme designed to equip the next generation of farmers with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for a thriving career in agriculture.

OPINION: Here w go: the election date is set for November 7 and the politicians are out of the gate…
OPINION: ECan data was released a few days ago showing Canterbury farmers have made “giant strides on environmental performance”.