Mark Hooper Joins NZPork Board as Independent Director
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
Massey University students looking to fund their studies in the pork industry have until March 10 to apply for up to four New Zealand Pork Industry Board scholarships.
On offer are one postgraduate and up to three undergraduate scholarships for students specialising in pig husbandry and pig production.
David Baines, general manager of New Zealand Pork, says New Zealand’s pork industry is world-leading in animal health and welfare and farming practices.
“There are exciting opportunities to work in this relatively small, but proud and passionate industry that feeds millions of Kiwis every year.
“We want to support research and top young talent to enter the industry and join our commitment to remaining the best pork producers in the world.”
The postgraduate scholarship offers $4,000 for one academic year. To be eligible, applicants must be pursuing a master's degree or PhD with a thesis topic in an area relating to pigs and relevant to the New Zealand pork industry, including pig production, husbandry, health and welfare and processing of pork and pork products.
The undergraduate scholarship offers $500 to $1500 for a single academic year, depending on the number of applicants, and supports students who want to undertake a practical placement on a commercial New Zealand pig farm as part of their course requirements.
To be eligible, applicants must be pursuing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Bachelor of Animal Science, or Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree at Massey University. Applicants must be undertaking a minimum of two weeks practical work/placement on a commercial pig farm.
To apply
Click here for the postgraduate scholarship
Click here for the undergraduate scholarship
Applications close 10 March.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…