Santa's present for the primary sector - an FTA with India
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
Your old mate is unsurprised at how much arrogance is taking over Government MPs – after only one year in power.
A good example is when Horticulture NZ recently made a submission on proposed new employment laws and the negative impact these would have on growers and their businesses. Hort NZ chief executive Mike Chapman says he was surprised by the antics of Labour MP Kieran McAnulty who dismissed the organisation’s concerns as “utter nonsense”.
Chapman says Hort NZ submitters were left speechless when they were told they did not understand what the Bill proposes. However, the Hound is not surprised. He reckons the “utter nonsense” is that an arrogant little twit like McAnulty gets to sit in Parliament and make stupid laws that impact on employers and people trying to run businesses.
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…