Wednesday, 25 February 2026 14:00

New Order

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: If old Winston Peters thinks building trade relations with new nations, such as India, isn't a necessary investment in our future, he has rocks in his head.

Our dependence on the US and China with the rapid changes in the world order is fast becoming a liability.

Australia has already discovered what this means in practice.

In October, Canberra signed an $8.5 billion minerals deal and the mining industry celebrated.

The agreement included American guarantees of minimum prices, so that if China flooded the market with cheap supply, Australian mines would still be worth the investment.

In the first week of Feb, those guarantees were quietly withdrawn.

Australia played by the rules, signed a big deal and trusted that the relationship would hold.

It now carries the risk on its own.

More like this

Editorial: Stay the Course

OPINION: The United States wine market has changed forever, and companies cannot use same old playbook, said Erin Kirschenmann at the New Zealand Wine 2026 Wine Business Forum in August.

Peters Targets Fonterra

OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.

Rabobank: China Quotas, Brazil Risk to Reshape Beef Trade

Chinese beef trade quotas and a looming suspension of Brazilian beef imports into the European Union are expected to reshape global beef trade flows over the remainder of 2026, with implications for New Zealand exporters, according to Rabobank's Q3 Global Beef Quarterly report.

Ex-National MP: Coup Attempt Could Cost Luxon the Election

I think it's going to greatly weaken National at the election. That's the view of a former senior National MP on the recent attempted coup against Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Domestic Focus

OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided to focus on a domestic issue - oil and gas drilling.

Featured

Feds Back National’s 19 Farming National Standards

National’s pledge to introduce 19 new national standards shows the party is serious about getting Wellington out of farming, Federated Farmers says.

HortNZ Backs National’s Plan for Vegetable Growers

The National Party’s policies to make it easier to grow fresh vegetables, secure reliable water and energy and simplify farm planning are practical changes that will give growers the confidence to invest, according to Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).

Fonterra CFO Andrew Murray Resigns

Fonterra Co-operative Group chief financial officer Andrew Murray has resigned to take up a role outside the dairy giant.

Pāmu Silver Stabilizer Dairy Beef Genetics Open to Farmers

A major move is about to get underway to improve the quality and viability of dairy beef and cattle in NZ.

Vets Back Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare Changes: NZVA

Veterinarians say changes to the code of welfare for dairy cattle provides a positive foundation for improved cattle welfare across the country.

International Day of Rural Women: Two DairyNZ Farmers’ Stories

Today, 15 October, is the International Day of Rural Women, which recognises rural women’s contribution to farming, communities and the environment.

National

Rural Mobile Coverage Worse After 3G Shutdown, Survey Finds

Mobile phone coverage and reliability are deteriorating in rural areas, and farming families are bearing the cost, according to a…

HelloFresh Launches Country Cookout Box in NZ

HelloFresh New Zealand has launched a limited-edition Country Cookout Box of Southern-inspired meals, arriving as the 2026/27 rodeo season gets…

Ballance Welcomes National's Policy on Securing Fertiliser Supply Contracts

Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect…