Tuesday, 24 August 2021 10:30

Value for money?

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: Your old mate is always sceptical about claims made by government, especially when it comes to spending our money and the value of said spending.

This justifiable cynicism is reinforced by figures recently released about the much-vaunted 'Jobs for Nature' programme announced in this year's budget.

According to budget documents, it is costing the taxpayer - that's you and me - $685,000 per person hired to control wallabies under this latest government programmre.

Now your old mate knows that wallabies are expensive pests and that it takes a skilled hunter to exterminate them, but $685k per person is an expensive way to do this.

Meanwhile, a report by the Primary Production Committee has found that the 'Jobs for Nature' programme is costing $200,000 per full time job created.

More like this

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.

A hurry up!

OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when challenged on a perceived lack of progress on various policy promises.

OPINION: The Hound hears that tension was in the air at the recent Silver Fern Farms AGM, with the board reportedly dazed and confused at why their CEO would continue to hammer farmers to lower their emissions in perpetuity, without being able to state a dollar value for any of the touted premiums.

Bugs for lunch

OPINION: The ongoing saga of the quality of school lunches continues.

Double standards

OPINION: Imagine if the Hound had called the Minister of Finance the 'c-word' and accused her of "girl math".

Featured

A positive Fieldays, says Langford

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.

Rural Support Trust dinner raises $300,000

A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.

John Deere reports 64% drop in quarterly profits as 2024 revenue falls amid tough market conditions

Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.

Miti founder 'blown away' by winning innovation award

An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.

Top innovators announced

The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.

Waikato Plan Change 1 litigation nears conclusion after 12 years

Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).

National

Primary exports hit new high

NZ primary exports are set to reach almost $60 million in the year ended 30 June 2025.

Milestone agreement on Foot and Mouth Disease

Six livestock industry groups have signed a new agreement with the Government on how to prepare for, and respond to,…

Project takes aim at pasture persistence problem

Farmers are welcoming a $17 million, seven-year collaborative science and research programme to lift pasture persistence and productivity.

Fieldays 2025 theme showcases global impact of agriculture

Fieldays 2025 opens this week with organisers saying the theme, 'Your Place', highlights the impact the event has on agriculture…

Fieldays 2025 unveils new sustainability initiatives with industry partners

Through collaborative efforts with exhibitors, visitors, and industry partners, Fieldays says it is reaffirming its commitment to environmental responsibility with…