Dry weather classification expands to North Island
The dry weather in some parts of the North Island has received medium-scale adverse event classification from the Government.
The Northland Regional Council plans to progressively implement a national policy on freshwater management over the next decade.
Council chairman Bill Shepherd says the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM) sets out mandatory requirements for management of the country's water quality and quantity.
"When the NPSFM was amended by the government in 2014, it was keen to see it fully implemented by the end of this year if practicable," he says.
"But recognising this wouldn't be possible for most councils, it also allows councils to opt for a progressive 10-year implementation programme, provided they formally advertise that's the approach they'll be taking."
Shepherd says, along with most other councils around New Zealand, the NRC had reaffirmed its earlier plans to use the staged implementation option, with councillors workshopping a proposed approach last month and confirming this at a full meeting in Whangarei recently.
"Council's keen to ensure the NPSFM is introduced locally in a manner which as much as possible suits our various communities, builds on established initiatives and resources, but also allows for some flexibility," he says.
"We believe that the staged approach to implementation by 2025 is the best option for this."
Shepherd says the council will publicly advertise its staged implementation programme as legally required before the end of the year.
A new report shows farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.