Trump tariffs
OPINION: Former politicians seem incapable of staying away from the limelight after they retire.
The National Party caucus meets next week to elect a new Prime Minister.
This follows the shock announcement by Prime Minister John Key that he is resigning from the top job.
He made the announcement at his weekly press conference this afternoon.
"This is the hardest decision I've ever made and I don't know what I'll do next,” Key told journalists in Wellington.
Key cited family reasons for leaving, saying the job had required great sacrifices "from those who are dearest to me".
Bill English is expected to take over as Prime Minister and Steven Joyce is expected to take on the finance role.
Key said he would support whoever the caucus chose, but he endorsed Bill English as his replacement.
"There's no way I could have served out a full fourth term," said Key.
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

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