M.I.A.
OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.
National’s Agriculture spokesperson, Todd Muller is urging banks to better support farmers amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Muller says farmers are providing some much-needed stability to the economy otherwise suffering from Covid-19.
He says banks can support the economy by looking at new ways to support farmers amid the pandemic.
“Our food producers are critically important in times like this. No matter how challenging the global environment, people need to eat and our superb farming families give us a competitive advantage and the capacity to trade ourselves out of a recession,” says Muller.
“While red meat and dairy exports remain strong, the effects of drought are continuing to hammer farmers and many are struggling to pay the bills.
“I think our banks should provide these farmers with some assistance by allowing overdraft extensions. Working capital is vital for farmers to be able to keep their stock in good condition to enable them to maintain strong levels of production next season.
“It’s important for the entire country that our primary sector remains in good health. It is a vital part of our economy and New Zealand needs it to perform to weather this crisis.”
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.