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.
According to a recent survey, 34.8% of Kiwis will serve ham as their main protein on December 25, beating out lamb by 0.2%.
Ham has edged out lamb to become Kiwis’ top choice for their Christmas tables this year.
According to a recent survey, 34.8% of Kiwis will serve ham as their main protein on December 25, beating out lamb by 0.2%.
NZPork chief executive Brent Kleiss says the holiday season is the perfect time for Kiwis to gather with family and friends to celebrate.
“Every year, lamb and ham go head-to-head for the top spot on the Christmas table, and this year was no different,” Kleiss says. “We’re excited to see ham taking the win and being a part of so many festive celebrations.”
“If you’re one of the many Kiwis looking to buy a ham this Christmas, search the 100% NZ Bacon & Ham Awards as a good place to start,” he adds.
“Foodies and butchers crowned New Zealand’s top ham in June, along with 18 other medal-winner representing both national suppliers and independent retailers. This list represents the best of the best of 100% New Zealand ham.”
The annual survey, now in its seventh year, offers a glimpse into what makes a Kiwi Christmas.
This year, approximately 1,200 respondents shared their festive plans, from favourite dishes to cherished traditions.
The survey was promoted via social media channels and electronic newsletters of Retail Meat New Zealand, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and NZPork. Entrants were incentivised to enter, with the opportunity to win one of five $200 meat vouchers.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.

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