Mark Hooper Joins NZPork Board as Independent Director
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
OPINION: Your old mate notes that regulations governing NZ's pig sector could end up seeing us running out of locally produced pork - like we are currently experiencing with eggs.
Pork NZ reports that more than 50,000 metric tonnes of overseas pork was imported into New Zealand during 2022, most of it from countries that allow pig farming practices that are illegal in New Zealand.
According to Pork NZ, almost two thirds of the pork consumed in NZ comes from overseas, but there is no requirement for it to meet our animal welfare standards.
Around 98% of the pork imported from overseas comes from countries that use sow crates, which are banned in NZ.
Our pork sector has more stringent welfare and environmental standards compared to other countries.
This sounds like a recipe for disaster for the NZ pig farming sector.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.

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