Gladfield Malt Celebrates 100% NZ-Grown Barley Success
A central Canterbury business which turns malting barley into a key ingredient in beer making has celebrated its 100% New Zealand-grown status with a special event.
"I've still got my trainer wheels on".
That's how Nicola Grigg is describing her first weeks back in Parliament after six months maternity leave and now looking after her new baby in the precincts of Parliament.
She says it's funny being both a new mum and a new minister at the same time, but says she's very lucky having a great support team around her which helps her cope.
"I've got my baby up here and my office looks like a crèche. I have a really good nanny and his dad comes up sometimes as well, so this is the new norm for me," she says.
In many ways Grigg is making history. It's 40 years since a National MP has had a baby while in government and that was Ruth Richardson back in 1983.
"You have to make things work, because we want female representation in Parliament and so in some ways I am something of a crash test dummy.
"If I can succeed in being a good mum, minister and local MP, that should motivate other women to do the same," she says.
Tickets are now available for the 2026 Arable Awards, set to be held in Christchurch on 20th August.
Environment Southland is calling on residents to be vigilant and check their properties after a new Old Man's Beard site was discovered near Dipton.
Amelia Marsden has secured the 2026 Nelson Young Grower title for the second year running, earning another opportunity to represent the region at the national Young Grower of the Year competition later this year.
Federated Farmers is urging the Government to put a halt to Waikato Regional Council's controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1), warning the regulations will impose significant costs, complexity and duplication on thousands of farmers while major national reforms remain unresolved.
Joshua Irving has been named the 2026 Ormond Nurseries North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Vets say they support the responsible use of virtual fencing and virtual herding technology for cattle and wants to work with farmers, manufacturers and government to help shape standards for future use backed by ongoing research to strengthen animal welfare outcomes.

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