Labour Caucus Portfolios Reshuffled Ahead of 2026 Election
Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins has announced a reshuffle of the party's caucus portfolios.
OPINION: Meanwhile, red blooded Northland politician Matua Shane Jones has provided one of the most telling quotes of the year thus far.
Replacing his mining hard-hat with his Fisheries Minister hat, Jones has beat a quick political retreat after being blindsided by the backlash from the recreational fishing community after proposing to let commercial operators land and sell dead marlin bycatch.
Reminding us that it is election year, Jones was surprisingly honest about it: “A good politician has to know how to pivot” adding “The reality is that we’ve got to prioritise our efforts in an election year”.
The lesson here for the farming community is that, in election year, politicians are very susceptible to a bit of arm twisting, or negative publicity that might cost them a few votes and risk tipping them out of the trough when the public heads to the polls!
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.
New Zealand farming is riding a high, with strong prices, full feed covers and improving confidence lining up at the same time.
Manawatu Mayor Michael Ford says the district sees itself as the agribusiness capital of the lower North Island.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is looking forward to connecting with farmers, rural professionals and community members at this year's Central District Field Days.
Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins has announced a reshuffle of the party's caucus portfolios.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says a series of rural resilienced set to be rolled out next week will help farmers and growers better prepared for adverse weather events.

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