Are they serious?
OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their fiscal fantasies.
Your old mate notes that the Greens latest policy – in its desire to 'clean up the country's rivers' – is to implement a wholesale ban on future dairy farm conversions.
The policy would bring down a ban preventing any rural landowner in NZ from ever being able to convert land to dairy. No wonder Labour's primary industries spokesman Damien O'Connor is walking round with a face like a slapped bum. He is likely to be shafted in respect of the primary sector portfolio in a Labour/Green coalition: it is common knowledge that Labour would happily give this portfolio to the Greens, and renowned farming hater Eugene Sage would likely get it. The Hound reckons it might be a good time for him to retire and go where he can actually make a difference.
New Zealand milk production is off to a strong start, with the first month of the 2025/26 dairy season recording a whopping 17.8% jump in milk production, compared to the previous season.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy says getting meat processors involved has been a shot in the arm for the sector's key marketing initiative into China, Taste Pure Nature.
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Federated Farmers is vowing to keep the big banks accountable for their actions and to continue pushing for meaningful change in the rural lending sector.