Editorial: Outstanding Performance
OPINION: The latest update from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the state of NZ's primary sector paints a positive picturee about its performance over the past 12 months.
OPINION: MPI employs more than 3,600 staff in 45 locations around the country and internationally.
It also has a total budget of $1.1 billion for the 2023/24 year.
So, it's comforting to know that this agricultural powerhouse really knows its stuff.
A mate of your truly was tickled pink to read the following information in its advice to an update in the food regulations.
In its discussion on proposed changes to The Animal Products Notice: Production and Supply Processing, MPI advised that: "Notice Reference Proposed amendment: Type of change: Reason for amendment 2 (3). Create a separate goat animal code: Update Goats are not sheep. They are different mammals."
Isn't it comforting to know that the more than $1 billion spent a year on funding MPI is not wasted and that it recognises that 'goats aren't sheep', but in fact are 'different mammals'?
The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Black & White Youth Auction has once again proven the strength of support behind the breed’s young people, raising $20,130 for the HFNZ Black & White Youth programme.
Westpac NZ has become the first New Zealand bank to receive approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) to secure and leverage kiwifruit growers' Zespri shares.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) and Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Limited) have developed a new way for landowners to earn revenue from existing native forests.
Despite near universal optimism in the rural sector, a panel of New Zealand’s leading food and agri minds caution that the sector must be intentional about its future path.
The dairy industry cannot rest on its laurels despite providing one in every four export dollars earned by the country, says DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker.
The Government is looking at intervening on behalf of Waikato farmers who face new regulations around agricultural land use while Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms are underway.

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