Dry weather classification expands to North Island
The dry weather in some parts of the North Island has received medium-scale adverse event classification from the Government.
The Land and Water Forum (LWF) today outlined new consensus recommendations needed to improve management of fresh water.
It is also calling on the Government to urgently adopt all of its recommendations from earlier reports.
The 60 new consensus recommendations for how New Zealand should improve its management of fresh water are contained in LWF's fourth report.
The Forum, which brings together over 60 organisations including business, energy generators, environmental and recreational NGOs, iwi and scientists, has focused its latest report on finding ways to meet water quality and quantity limits while maximising economic benefits.
"Improving the management of fresh water is a critical economic and environmental issue for New Zealand. Now is a once in a generation chance to address it in full," says Forum chair Alastair Bisley.
"The recommendations from our four reports collectively outline a workable and balanced system that will facilitate growth and innovation within environmental limits. It is now up to the Government to put these systems in place."
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.