Trump tariffs
OPINION: Former politicians seem incapable of staying away from the limelight after they retire.
Prime Minister John Key says the decision to reject a Chinese bid for Lochinvar Station was nothing to do with politics.
The $88 million bid Shanghai Pengxin subsidiary, Pure 100 Farm Ltd was knocked back by Ministers Paula Bennett and Louise Upston in September, despite the Overseas Investment Office recommending it be approved.
Key told a China Business Summit in Auckland today said the two ministers didn't discuss the decision with anyone else and took the decision there wasn't enough (in it).
"Right or wrong you can read their decision, he said. But he said the decision was nothing to do with the politics of it.
He said if you wanted him to change the Overseas Investment Act to have more clarity "show me where we can get the numbers from because only ACT will support us".
"We are stuck with the Overseas Investment Act whether we like it or not."
In advance of the Budget, Finance Minister Nicola Willis put a clear damper on expectations and delivered accordingly.
Farmers should be cautiously optimistic as the 2026/27 season kicks off, says DairyNZ.
RaboResearch senior analyst Emma Higgins expects the 2026/27 dairy season to be another profitable one.
The new dairy season is kicking off with plenty of risks to the forecast farmgate price, both upside and downside, says ANZ agricultural economist Matt Dilly.
A potential showdown between the top two Federated Farmers leaders looms at the farmer lobby's annual meeting later this month.
FarmIQ Systems has developed a free land management app to help remove barriers to New Zealand farmers and growers adopting digital tools.