Federated Farmers Welcomes Local Government Reform Plans
Federated Farmers says reforms of local government announced last week will be music to farmers' ears.
OPINION: A reader recently called out the Hound for not giving Federated Farmers enough credit for taking Otago Regional Council to task on its dodgy rule changes.
Fair cop - Otago Feds have led the fight with ORC.
They're again calling on ORC to "delay notification of new freshwater rules and lay the full costs bare for the community to see".
Otago president Luke Kane says the council has been about as transparent as a brick wall.
"First they said we were totally wrong, and we didn't understand, then they said it's complicated and we were only partially correct, and now they've gone totally quiet".
Feds say the sheer arrogance on display from ORC is simply jaw-dropping.
"It's not just Environment Minister Penny Simmonds waiting for these costings. It's the entire Otago region."
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.

OPINION: When Donald Trump returned to the White House, many people with half a brain could see the results for…
OPINION: Media trust has tanked because of what media's more woke members do and say.