International Day of Rural Women: Two DairyNZ Farmers’ Stories
Today, 15 October, is the International Day of Rural Women, which recognises rural women’s contribution to farming, communities and the environment.
DairyNZ chair, Jim van der Poel, claims the HWEN proposal is a win-win for all New Zealanders.
He says during their consultation programme, 99% of farmers (who turned up to meetings) opposed agriculture being included in the ETS and 86% supported the farm-level proposal.
"This is because farmers want to be recognised for their own emission - not just an industry average," he told Rural New. "If they have some behavioural change or if they do something on farm to lessen their emissions, they want to be recognised for that."
Van der Poel says, under the HWEN proposal, there is an opportunity for levy funds to be recycled back to fund new research and tools to further help farmers reduce their emissions.
"Unlike the ETS, the HWEN system will actually reduce emissions, and will recognise and incentivise on-farm actions. It will invest in R&D to find new solutions, building on the already significant primary sector investment," he says.
OPINION: Making it easier to collect rainwater and use it to grow crops and livestock is a no brainer.
As part of its Election 2026 coverage, Rural News asked political parties how they would help pull the arable sector out of the doldrums. Here's what they said:
Farmers are being encouraged to rethink how they manage waste on farm with the launch of ruralwastesorted.co.nz, a new website bringing together practical tips, real farmer experiences and resources.
New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) is celebrating the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) coming into force today, bringing New Zealand wine improved access to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
New Zealand’s red meat sector has welcomed the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement taking effect, which removes India’s 33% tariff on New Zealand sheepmeat.
More than 95 per cent of New Zealand’s forestry and wood exports to India can now enter tariff free as the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement comes into force today.

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