Tuesday, 14 December 2021 07:55

Nats boost ag line-up

Written by  Peter Burke
National agriculture spokeswoman Barbara Kuriger jumps to number 10 in the party line-up and on the frontbench. National agriculture spokeswoman Barbara Kuriger jumps to number 10 in the party line-up and on the frontbench.

The National Party's new leader Chris Luxon seems to have placed a bigger emphasis on agriculture with his new shadow cabinet line-up.

Main spokeswoman Barbara Kuriger has hung onto the agriculture post she got during the Judith Collins era.

However, she is now ranked four places higher at number 10 in the line-up and now sits on the front bench.

Meanwhile, Luxon has given severn other members of the National caucus responsibilities for various areas of the primary sector.

Waikato MP Tim van der Molden, a former Young Farmer of the Year winner, has been given an associate role and the horticulture portfolio. Southland MP Joseph Mooney is another associate agriculture spokesman, as is Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg - who also picks up both the rural communities and animal welfare roles. In addition, Stuart Smith picks up viticulture and Ian McKelvie, forestry.

Meanwhile, Todd McClay retains trade and export growth, Todd Muller gets oceans and fisheries and Scott Simpson gets environment and climate change; all three have close links to the primary sector.

The Labour Government currently has Damien O'Connor as Agriculture and Export Trade and Growth Minister, with one assistant - Meka Whatiri as associate agriculture with responsibility for animal welfare.

It has also split out Forestry to Stuart Nash and the Environment and Fisheries to David Parket. The Government has two associates, who are outside Cabinet, for Trade and Export Growth - Phil Twyford and Rino Tirikatene.

More like this

Dreams aren't plans

OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery finally roars to life.

If voters see some growth and wages rising faster than prices, the government could say they've "fixed" things as they ride into the next election.

Back here on Earth though, the economy they inherited is a basket case, and the long-term headwinds are fierce.

Political commentator Liam Hehir says, "dreams are not plans" and if the turnaround doesn't come in time, National may have no choice but to go negative.

"Everybody wants to fight on the economy if they can. But when neither side has a compelling story, the contest shifts to other issues. That's not new. In fact, it's the stuff of politics everywhere, always."


 Read More:


Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly relating to how they're treating their farmer base.

Featured

DairyNZ: Waikato Farmers Need Certainty on PC1 Rules

DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.

Ravensdown Named Naming Rights Sponsor of A&P Show

Farmer owned co-operative Ravensdown has signed a two-year naming rights sponsorship of the Canterbury A&P Show.

Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black

OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.

Queenstown to Host Sold-Out New Zealand Apple and Pear Conference

More than 300 growers, exporters, researchers, service providers and industry leaders will descend on Queenstown later this month for EXPO 2026, the annual conference for New Zealand’s apple and pear sector.

National

Machinery & Products

 

 

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Great Idea!

OPINION: Central Hawke's Bay farmer Mark Warren recently told the Hawke's Bay Times it's time for a conversation about allowing…

No Choice

OPINION: A nation that relies as heavily as NZ does on functional global shipping lanes will have to do its…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter