Famous last words
OPINION: With Winston Peters playing politics with the PM's Indian FTA, all eyes will be on Labour who have the casting vote.
The Hound was intrigued to read an article recently, on the Newsroom website, that shows that Education Minister Chris ‘Chippy’ Hipkins was pushing strongly behind the scenes for a merger of Lincoln and Canterbury universities.
According to the report, Lincoln was “dragged into merger discussions” by the education minister.
Hipkins told Newsroom he had concerns about Lincoln making little progress on implementing the recommendations of a 2017 advisory board report and faced a range of financial risks.
In the end, Hipkins pulled the plug on the merger plan in July this year, claiming the estimated cost ($124-$160 million) “far outweighed the benefits”.
The minister says disestablishing Lincoln is now off the agenda and a merger will not be needed -- “as long as Lincoln delivers on its potential”.
Watch this space.
Former Agriculture Minister Nathan Guy says he's excited about his new role as NZ's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy.
A pillar of New Zealand's horticultural industry, Dr Stuart Davis, was farewelled at a well-attended funeral service in Tuakau, South Auckland, on December 18.
A stable but uncertain year lies ahead for New Zealand primary products, says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith.
Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Bill and Michelle Burgess had an eye-opening realisation when they produced the same with fewer cows.

OPINION: If the hand-wringing, cravat and bow-tie wearing commentariat of a left-leaning persuasion had any influence on global markets, we'd…
OPINION: With Winston Peters playing politics with the PM's Indian FTA, all eyes will be on Labour who have the…