Mark Hooper Joins NZPork Board as Independent Director
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to 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.
Now in its fourth year, the 2026 Fencing Industry Awards, formed part of the proceedings of the FCANZ Conference, held in Nelson during August.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
OPINION: The stats speak for themselves.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.

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