increase font size
Todd Muller has taken over as the National Party's acting spokesman for agriculture, biosecurity and food safety.
Former National leader Todd Muller has taken over as acting spokesman for agriculture, biosecurity and food safety.
Muller replaces Barbara Kuriger, who resigned abruptly this morning over an ongoing dispute between her family and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
Opposition leader Chris Luxon says he accepted Kuriger’s resignation from the three portfolios last night. The Taranaki-King Country MP was appointed to the role one year ago.
Luxon says he become aware that Kuriger and her family are involved in a personal dispute with the Ministry of Primary Industries that is ongoing.
“I discussed this with Ms Kuriger and she accepts that this is a significant conflict of interest and the failure to recognise it and to take steps to manage this conflict has been a serious lapse of judgement.
“On this basis, Kuriger felt it appropriate to resign from her portfolios.
“From today, Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller will become Acting Spokesperson for Agriculture, Biosecurity and Food Safety.’
Luxon has reconfirmed that a major reshuffle in the coming months.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the National Party’s agriculture plan provides a strong basis for lifting productivity, supporting rural communities and recognising the sheep and beef sector’s environmental track record.
OPINION: Making it easier to collect rainwater and use it to grow crops and livestock is a no brainer.
National’s pledge to introduce 19 new national standards shows the party is serious about getting Wellington out of farming, Federated Farmers says.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
OPINION: In politics, credibility is and should be big. It must surely rank higher than charisma, which is quite trite and superficial. Yet, voters nowadays are often wooed and influenced by how someone looks or talks at a superficial level. TV plays a huge role in this.
Dairy processors are ready to further boost New Zealand’s export earnings but want the incoming government to match their ambition with good policy.
Massey University is best placed to solve the “problems” facing the dairy industry, says vice chancellor, Pierre Venter.
Synlait's longest serving employee – a man who joined the Canterbury-based milk processor even before it began processing milk – is now its newest executive.
A dairy industry leader believes eradicating the common and costly disease, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is within reach.
A farmgate milk price of $10/kgMS this season is firming up as milk powder prices soar and the New Zealand dollar weakens.
Federated Farmers has welcomed new rural policies released by ACT, saying they align closely with its own election priorities.
