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OPINION: The election run-up is on and things are getting nasty.
Operatives from both sides of the political centre are airing out the ‘dirt files’ they have been sitting on to ankle-tap political opponents.
The self-appointed morality police that are NZ’s political reporters happily play along, largely ignoring policy-based stories (hard work) in favour of ‘gotcha’ character judgement stories (not hard work).
So far, voters have heard that NZ First harbours at least one candidate so far down the rabbit hole that they believe Covid vaccines continue to emit signals from the grave; an Act MP thinks (or once thought) that vaccines caused drownings; Te Pati Māori have had to apologise for their assertion that Māori are genetically superior, and that indigenous people should get housing priority over migrants.
PM Chippy has also demonstrated Labour will run a negative campaign, so the gloves are off and we’ll see more of the mud-slinging before polling day. Grab your popcorn and settle in!
With a general election under five weeks away, Rural News is asking major political parties about their policies and positions on key issues facing the primary sector. We will run their responses to each question over the next four weeks. The ACT Party and the Greens didn't respond in time.
The Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Patterson, says there's a massive infrastructure deficit in rural areas.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
Red meat farmers are welcoming Labour’s plan to review the Emissions Trading Scheme and not to campaign on pricing agricultural emissions.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.
