Luxon Reveals Updated Ministerial Lineup
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced changes to the ministerial lineup, including a new Minister for the Environment and a new Associate Agriculture Minister.
The Hound notes that despite the new government having been elected for well over a month, there seems to a real lack of urgency on its behalf.
A clear case in point is the stone-walling and delay – from both government ministers and officials – over the desperate need to allow more migrant workers into the country to harvest fruit and vegetables.
Meanwhile, the Shearing Contractors Association is still looking for an urgent decision to allow experienced sheep shearers into the country – despite having been in talks with the government since the start of lockdown.
The association says, initially, it applied for 200 shearers to fill gaps in the local workforce, but that has been scaled back to 60 – but they are still waiting for a decision.
Perhaps they should have said the shearers were movie industry workers or America’s Cup sailors and they would have had more luck!
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.

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