ETS costs cut 66% for forest owners – McClay
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Spearheaded by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA), with support from Federated Farmers, Hunting & Fishing NZ and the Firearms Safety Authority, the competition connected over 800 hunters and landowners.
A collaborative effort between hunters, landowners, and conservation organisations has seen the successful removal of 12,935 wild goats during the second annual National Competition.
It marks a 22% rise from last year.
Spearheaded by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA), with support from Federated Farmers, Hunting & Fishing NZ and the Firearms Safety Authority, the competition connected over 800 hunters and landowners, improving access to private land and significantly impacting wild goat populations.
The competition also saw $70,000 in prizes donated by the hunting and outdoor sector.
“This competition is about more than just numbers – it’s about New Zealanders coming together to protect our unique ecosystems,” says NZDA president Callum Sheridan.
“Hunters play a critical role in controlling introduced species, and this year’s record turnout shows the power of hunter-driven conservation.”
Hunting and Fishing Minister Todd McClay says the result is “fantastic” and demonstrates the importance of strong partnerships across the hunting community in addressing the damage wild goats can cause to farmland and native ecosystems.
“Prize winners have been announced today on the competition webpage and via NZDA and DOC’s social media channels,” McClay says.
“I look forward to next year’s competition and wild goat hunting becoming a regular feature in the hunting calendar.”
Keratin biomaterials company Keraplast and Wools of New Zealand have signed a new superpremium wool contract which is said to deliver a boost to wool growers.
While things are looking positive for the red meat sector in 2026, volatility in global trade remains a concern, says the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
The quest to find innovative practical, scientific solutions to deal with water-related issues at a catchment level has been the theme of an important conference at Massey University last week.
One of the country's top Māori farms faces a long and costly rebuild to get the property back to where it was before recent storms ripped through it.
The latest Global Dairy Trade auction results have delivered a boost to dairy farmers.
New Zealand potato growers are prioritising value creation from high yields to meet a complex mix of challenges and opportunities, says Potatoes NZ chief executive Kate Trufitt.

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