Shame!

This year’s New Year honours – as has been the case over the past six years – saw the usual bevy of musicians, artists, failed former politicians, unionists and activists rewarded by the outgoing Labour administration.

Of the 194 people awarded in the New Year’s Honours, only four nominees had any connection to the rural or primary sector.

For a country so heavily reliant on the farming and rural sector this is a disgrace.

Meanwhile, congratulations to former Merino NZ boss John Brackenridge, beekeeper Frank Lindsay, rural doctor Mike Miller and Havelock’s Gavin O’Donnell for service to his local rural community, for their well-deserved accolades in representing the economic backbone of the country.