New Feds VP Ready To Work For Farmers
Newly appointed Federated Farmers vice president Sandra Faulkner says she is honoured and excited to hold the role.
Federated Farmers supports the unification of the fragmented apiculture industry, but says people with governance skills are needed to ensure the process is successful.
The group in charge of the change are calling for experienced members of the industry to apply for positions on the Interim Apiculture Industry Governance Board (IGB).
Peter Bell, interim working group member and Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group vice-chairman says, “It is vital we have the best people to navigate a way forward in structuring and funding our industry.”
“The interim working group is charged with the goal of achieving a fully inclusive, fully funded industry group structure that will be the strong platform for future growth and prosperity of the industry, which is currently estimated to contribute an annual $5billion per annum to New Zealand’s economy.”
“There has been a consistent view that the new apiculture Industry body should include more than just beekeepers, and be reflective of who we are, as beekeepers and industry today. That is why the new apiculture body will be inclusive of all from beekeepers (large and small) and pollination through to food and health products and include hobby clubs and service companies.”
Bell says this means, the new 12 member Apiculture Industry Governance Board needs appropriately skilled representatives from commercial beekeeping, the hobbyist sector, honey export and domestic packers/marketers, and the health products and food manufacturing bee products sector. The inaugural Governance Board will be tasked with establishing the new group to be operational by Friday, April 1, 2016.
“This is an exciting time for the apiculture Industry and we are looking forward to from getting the right people for the job,” says Bell.
With the New Zealand/India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) dominating political debate here, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting New Zealand next week.
Michelle and Tony Roberts didn't inherit the farming business they have today. They’ve built it from the ground up.
“We’re not normal.” That’s how Jack Walters, executive director of Pungent Pukeko, describes his gin brand, which has just won gold at the World Gin Awards.
Dr Tim Harwood, a seafood food safety research leader, has been awarded the 2026 Significant Contribution Award at the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST) Food Industry Awards.
Today marks the first day of operations for Waikato Waters, a new council-controlled organisation established by six district councils to deliver water and wastewater services for their communities.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced has opened applications for the 2026/27 funding round of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Research (GHGIR) fund.

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