Hectre Opens Auckland Lab for Hyperspectral Fruit Research
A new fruit quality research laboratory has been opened in Auckland by agritech company Hectre to develop pioneering hyperspectral technology.
Trade Minister Todd McClay has travelled to Indonesia to join the Prime Minister and a high-level business delegation for a two-day official visit.
"Indonesia is an important trade partner for New Zealand, and as our 11th largest export market offers significant trading opportunities," says McClay.
"Our two-way trade currently sits at $1.6 billion, and we're keen to explore ways to meet the target set by the two countries last year to boost trade to $4 billion by 2024.
"We will be looking to further broaden our trade connections, including through the Prime Minister's meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and my own meeting with Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong."
McClay spoke with Minster Lembong at last weekend's G20 meeting in Shanghai and both ministers committed to further develop their government-to-government and business-to-business links.
"With a population of 255 million, Indonesia offers significant opportunity to New Zealand exporters and we will be looking to capitalise on the Prime Minister's visit to open doors for New Zealand companies," says McClay.
While in Indonesia, McClay will take part in business forums in Jakarta and Surabaya. The Jakarta business forum will focus on the benefits of regional economic integration, including between ASEAN and New Zealand. The Surabaya business forum will aim to promote New Zealand's economic relationship with East Java, Indonesia's second most populous province.
"I look forward to working alongside the New Zealand business delegation to showcase New Zealand's commercial expertise in areas of priority for Indonesia, including renewable energy, food and beverage, aviation, education and tourism," says McClay.
Keeping up with pasture moisture demands is likely to be the key challenge for dairy farmers during this season’s El Niño weather pattern, says Blue Skies Weather & Climate Services meteorologist Tony Trewinnard.
Farmers have until the end of this week to help shape DairyNZ’s future focus.
Wayne McNee, chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, has resigned and will leave the organisation on 15 January 2027.
The New Zealand dairy sector set a record in the 2025/26 season, producing more than two billion kilograms of milksolids for the first time.
Milk powder prices are continuing their merry run, firming up a potential $10/kgMS farmgate price this season.
Teachers are welcoming the outgoing Government’s U-turn allowing agriculture and horticultural science to remain a standalone Year 11 subject.

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