NZ Primary Exports Set to Reach Record $64.3 Billion
New Zealand’s food and fibre sector is on track to deliver record export earnings, with export revenue forecast to reach $64.3 billion in the year ending 30 June 2026.
Almost a year to the day from when he made his first trip to India, Trade Minister Todd McClay is jetting off there again just before Christmas.
This is part of an ongoing programme to build relationships with one of the world’s most powerful economies and a country NZ would dearly love to get a Free Trade Agreement with.
This will be Todd McClay’s fourth trip to India within a year.
Speaking to Rural News, just before he left, he said the relationship between the two countries is in a much better space than it was a year ago. He says his talks will centre around ways that the two countries can trade more and says already some barriers have come down with logging exports able to go there now.
“But it’s too soon to be talking about any kind of trade architecture, however the Indian government is clear that our relationship with them is a priority across all facets including trade,” he says.
McClay says cultural ties between the two nations are strong and says the visit here of the Indian President and Christopher Luxon’s meeting with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi all point to a growing relationship. He says Mr Modi has personally invited Mr Luxon to visit India and says this will happen in the new year. McClay says accompanying our PM will be a large business delegation.
“All this points to the fact that we are heading in the right direction,” he says.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.
Dairy farmers need to be high quality partners to the beef industry, says Prem Maan, the co-founder and executive chairman of the dairy corporate Southern Pastures.
The regions that will host clinical training for the University of Waikato's new medical school from 2028 have been confirmed, alongside a new nationwide approach to clinical placements for medical students.

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