New Zealand Sign Language Week Highlights Inclusion at Fonterra Clandeboye
Last week marked New Zealand Sign Language Week and a South Canterbury tanker operator is sharing what it's like to be deaf in a busy Fonterra depot.
Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the opening of the Fonterra Ying Hub in Ying County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province, China.
“The Fonterra Ying Hub represents a significant investment in Ying County,” says Goodhew.
“Once fully operational, the Hub will farm up to 30,000 cows, of which 16,000 will be milking cows.
“Across the hub’s three farms almost 400 local people have been employed and around 85% of the farm feed is sourced locally.
“All of this work represents a massive opportunity to boost the local economy and enable important social development outcomes.”
Opening of the Hub complements other activity in the area that will boost local capability and the local economy. For example, more than 1,000 local farmers have been trained in areas such as modern scale farming management, cattle breeding and disease control. As a result of Fonterra’s farmer training programme in collaboration with the Chinese government and farming industry.
“The opening of the Hub represents a significant investment by Fonterra in their Chinese operations,” Goodhew says.
“I would also like to express my thanks and gratitude to the Ying County local government and villagers. Without their ongoing support, this milestone would not have been achievable.”
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.