Diplomatic Incident
OPINION: Your old mate hears an international incident is threatening to blow up the long-standing Anzac alliance as Kiwis and Aussies argue over who wants new Australian resident and former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Australia has launched its Australian Lamb summer campaign and the target is New Zealand.
Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) summer campaign for Australian Lamb launched yesterday, calling for Australia and New Zealand to come together over a lamb meal.
Building on the new brand platform ‘Share the Lamb’, the integrated campaign sets out to extend the ‘rosemary sprig’ to our neighbouring nation and bridge the divide over something everyone can agree on - Lamb.
The campaign features a new long-form advert, going back to 1900 when Australia’s first Prime Minister, Edmund Barton, was finalising the Constitution Act to make New Zealand part of the Commonwealth.
In the video, this actual historical moment then inspires two modern day Aussie politicians to connect both countries again.
The stage is then set for both nations to come together over a lamb barbecue, amongst a huge floating party in the middle of the Tasman Sea. The comical advert celebrates the best of both nations and joins us together in New Australia-Land.
MLA Domestic Market Manager, Graeme Yardy, says quality Australian Lamb would again be front and centre of the campaign, “while utilising our brand’s trademark humour to actively encourage consumers to come together and share some Australian Lamb”. “The good-humoured rivalry between Australia and New Zealand is something that underpins both countries’ cultures. As a brand, Lamb stands for unity, so we thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring both nations together over some tasty Aussie Lamb,” Yardy said.
“Our marketing is driven by deep consumer insights. We know that undoubtedly, Lamb is the meal that Australians love to share across the summer. Our job is to remind consumers of these great opportunities to enjoy Lamb and the care and quality of Australia’s hard working Lamb producers.”
The campaign will see the advert run across national metro and regional TV, digital, social and radio.
The video also pokes fun at the Aussies and the revolving door saga that has engulfed Australian Prime Ministers.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.

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