NZ Local Government Reform: Regional councils axed, CTBs proposed
The biggest reform of local government in more than 35 years is underway.
Former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has received the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award.
Roy, who has been chair of NZPork since 2019, received the award for his production, leadership, advocacy and political service to primary industries and rural communities in New Zealand and the wider Pacific for nearly 60 years.
His work for Young Farmers culminated in his election as world president, and the six-term Member of Parliament has also excelled in roles with Federated Farmers, Pamu, the Meat & Wool Board and a host of community and charity initiatives.
"Few can match his contribution - Eric Roy is a truly exceptional New Zealander," the judging panel said.
NZPork deputy chair Jason Palmer says Roy’s decades of service to farming, rural communities and public life reflect a commitment to doing the right thing for farmers, the primary sector and the country.
“He has provided invaluable leadership to NZPork during his time as chair on our board, helping shape the future of sustainable pig farming in New Zealand. We’re really pleased to see that contribution recognised at a national level.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
For more than 50 years, Waireka Research Station at New Plymouth has been a hub for globally important trials of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides, carried out on 16ha of orderly flat plots hedged for protection against the strong winds that sweep in from New Zealand’s west coast.
There's a special sort of energy at the East Coast Farming Expo, especially when it comes to youth.

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