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OPINION: You can't blame young Kiwis for jumping the ditch for a better life, and they should get the same rights as Aussiesx when there.
But coming changes in the rules create a conundrum for employers, like dairy farmers, who are already struggling to find good staff. New Zealanders living in Aus will soon have access to Australian citizenship and its benefits, after four years - a major change to immigration rules that adds to the long list of benefits of moving to Aus.
In the last five or so ears, the median wage gap has gone from Australians earning $17,400 more to $23,400 more. The cost of living in Australia is lower, interest rates are 1.5-2% lower. Housing is cheaper. They can't play rugby, but a young emigrant could probably overlook that.
Westpac predicts that, while inflation in NZ will come down later this year, wage inflation will buck the positive trend and remain high due to high employment and a tight labour market. Best of luck to those youngsters who jump the ditch. The rest of us need to think about how we make NZ a place with better prospects for them to stay.
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try harder" report card on the red meat industry regarding its exports to China - particularly when compared to Australia.
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.
OPINION: As India negotiates to open its borders to more global products, dairy is proving a sticky issue.
OPINION: Paranoia about foreigners is at an all-time high in the US and attention is now turning to foreign-owned farmland.
Engaging, thought provoking speakers, relevant seminars and relatable topics alongside innovative produces and services are the order of the day at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
Farm supplies trader Ruralco has recovered from two consecutive years of losses to post a $1.25 million profit for the 2025 financial year.
Naki Honey, a New Zealand manuka apiary company, has crafted what is believed to be the world's most expensive honey.
OPINION: Wool farmers believe the future of strong wool still holds promise.
Applications are open for Horticulture New Zealand's (HortNZ) 2026 scholarship programme, with 20 funding opportunities available.
OPINION: Farmers are being asked to celebrate a target that changes nothing for the climate, wastes taxpayer money, and ignores real science.
