Red Meat Sector Conference date unveiled
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) have announced the dates for the 2025 Red Meat Sector Conference.
A new report commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries has shown the potential held in over one million hectares of Maori freehold land, says Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy.
The report Growing the Productive Base of Māori Freehold Land estimates that lifting productivity to average industry benchmarks could result in an additional $8 billion in gross output and 3,600 new jobs for the primary sector. To achieve the estimated gains an investment in the land of just under $3 billion would be required.
"The potential for Maori freehold land represents an opportunity for Maori, the wider primary sector and New Zealand as a whole," says Guy.
"The report confirms that some iwi are well organised and have their asset base generating good returns, while others haven't realised their true potential yet.
"It is ultimately up to Maori to work out how to realise that potential, but Government has an important role partnering with Maori as leaders in driving a change.
"The proposed reforms to the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act announced by Minister for Treaty Settlements Chris Finlayson and Minister of Māori Affairs Dr Pita Sharples will be an important step towards unlocking this potential."
Late last year the Ministry for Primary Industries provided close to $3 million in funding for initiatives to promote sustainability and innovation amongst Maori agribusinesses.
The Ministry is also working with education agencies, training providers and other stakeholders to identify the opportunities to provide targeted training to Maori agribusinesses.
The Maori collective asset base is estimated at $37 billion. About 30% ($10.6 billion) is estimated to be in the primary sectors.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council says a new plan for managing the Wairoa River Bar will improve resilience for the Wairoa community in flood events.
Otago Regional Council is set to begin its annual winter farm flyovers in the next three weeks.
The Good Carbon Farm has partnered with Tolaga Bay Heritage Charitable Trust to deliver its first project in Tairāwhiti Gisborne.
Education union NZEI Te Riu Roa says that while educators will support the Government’s investment in learning support, they’re likely to be disappointed that it has been paid for by defunding expert teachers.
The Government says it is sharpening its focus and support for the food and fibre industry in Budget 2025.
A European Union regulation ensuring that the products its citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide threatens $200m of New Zealand beef and leather exports.
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