Election 2026: Former Federated Farmers President Named National Party Candidate
Katie Milne, former Federated Farmers president, has been announced as the National Party’s candidate for the West Coast-Tasman electorate.
This old mutt was flabbergasted at the reaction by some mainstream (lamestream) media to the news that Todd Muller would be replacing the retiring former primary industries minister Nathan Guy as National’s new spokesman in the portfolio.
According to many of these beltway millennials Muller’s appointment to the primary industries role – he moves on from the climate change portfolio – was a ‘demotion’.
However, the Hound insists that Muller’s corporate background at Fonterra and Zespri, and the work he’s done for the Nats on climate change, rank him among NZ’s best qualified potential ag ministers.
And consider the importance of the portfolio to this country’s economy. Muller’s promotion from number 31 to 17 up the National caucus rankings shows this was, in fact, a big promotion and not a demotion.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.
Technology and the use of artificial intelligence are increasingly part of life, both on the farm and off it.
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.
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.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.

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