Damien O’Connor Criticises Budget 2026 as ‘Miserable’ for Rural New Zealand
A miserable budget that didn’t deliver much for anyone.
Fonterra chairman John Monaghan says Fonterra is looking forward to working with the Coalition Government on the review of dairy industry regulations.
His comments come after a meeting in Wellington yesterday with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and senior ministers.
“We are looking forwards to working with the Government on the review undertaken by Minister O’Connor (Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor),” he says.
Monaghan says apart from briefing Government on its annual results, they discussed other matters relating to the industry. He did not elaborate.
Monaghan was accompanied by new chief executive Miles Hurrell.
In advance of the Budget, Finance Minister Nicola Willis put a clear damper on expectations and delivered accordingly.
Farmers should be cautiously optimistic as the 2026/27 season kicks off, says DairyNZ.
RaboResearch senior analyst Emma Higgins expects the 2026/27 dairy season to be another profitable one.
The new dairy season is kicking off with plenty of risks to the forecast farmgate price, both upside and downside, says ANZ agricultural economist Matt Dilly.
A potential showdown between the top two Federated Farmers leaders looms at the farmer lobby's annual meeting later this month.
FarmIQ Systems has developed a free land management app to help remove barriers to New Zealand farmers and growers adopting digital tools.