Labour Vows to Change Tact on How to Handle Freshwater Rules
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
OPINION: The Hound reckons any claims that Ag Minister Damien O’Connor is in the ‘wrong party’, will have been well and truly dispelled by comments he made at the recent Red Meat Sector Conference.
In a political discussion – held at the conference between O’Connor and National’s ag spokesman Todd McClay –the Minister told the audience of 300 meat industry people that we “probably don’t have enough tax in this country… we are going to have to contribute more!”
Apparently, O’Connor’s desire to tax New Zealanders more went down with this audience about as well as a fake meat burger!
The fact is that Labour wants more tax despite the fact it is now collecting $100 million more a day in tax than when they came to power in 2017!
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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