Trade balance with the US a saving grace
New Zealand is so far escaping the unpredictable vagaries of President Donald Trump's trade policies by the skin of its teeth.
Todd Charteris says Rabobank was committed to playing a role to help transition the New Zealand agri sector to a higher production - lower carbon future.
"We've made a start on this journey by signing up to the United Natios net zero global alliance, benchmarking the non-financial aspects of client businesses to ensure we are banking with responsible farmers and growers, and undergoing Toitu accreditation to enable us to report on our own emissions," he says.
"We're also finalising a new white paper which looks at the climate change challenge for New Zealand agri-business and expands on some of the ideas and actions I've outlined.
"This paper will be released in the coming weeks and our intention is to engage with farmers, industry stakeholders and politicians over the months ahead to discuss the paper's key findings and how the bank can work together with others to steer the coming food transition."
While opening the first electrode boiler at its Edendale site, Fonterra has announced a $70 million investment in two further new electrode boilers.
Fonterra says its ongoing legal battle with Australian processor Bega Cheese won’t change its divestment plans.
With an amendment to the Medicines Act proposing human medicines could be approved in 30 days if the product has approval from two recognised overseas jurisdictions, there’s a call for a similar approach where possible to be applied to some animal medicines.
The Government wants to make sure that rural communities get a level of service that people who live in cities often complacently expect.
As the New Zealand Government launches negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with India, one Canterbury-based vegetable seed breeder is already benefiting from exporting to the world's fifth-largest economy.
Onenui Station on Mahia Peninsula in northern Hawke's Bay is a world first in more ways than one.