Consent Rollovers and $13b Savings: What the new RMA bills could mean
There was much theatre in the Beehive before the Government's new Resource Management Act (RMA) reform bills were introduced into Parliament last week.
OPINION: This old mutt is dumbfounded by the ill-informed claims made by some media commentators that wannabe ACT PM and former Fed Farmers boss Andrew Hoggard will be the Minister of Agriculture in a possible National/ACT coalition government, should they get across the line on October 14.
As one insider told yours truly, these supposed ‘informed’ commentators should spend less time interviewing their typewriters and get out and talk to people in the know.
It is understood that the many rural candidates and MPs in National reckon claims that Hoggard would be elevated straight into the ag portfolio in any Nat/ACT coalition are about as fanciful as Green MP Chloe Swarbrick getting the job.
The Nats are fighting hard to regain the rural vote and are highly unlikely to give their junior coalition partner the gold-plated job of Ag Minister in any government they are part of.
Coming in at a year-end total at 3088 units, a rise of around 10% over the 2806 total for 2024, the signs are that the New Zealand farm machinery industry is turning the corner after a difficult couple of years.
New Zealand's animal health industry has a new tool addressing a long-standing sustainability issue.
The Government has announced that ACC will be a sponsor of this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
As veterinary student numbers grow to help address New Zealand's national workforce shortge, Massey University's School of Veterinary Science is inviting more veterinary practices to partner in training the next generation of vets.
South Island dairy farmers will soon be able to supply organic milk to Fonterra.
Norwood has announced the opening of a new Tasman dealership at Richmond near Nelson next month.

OPINION: Meanwhile, red blooded Northland politician Matua Shane Jones has provided one of the most telling quotes of the year…
OPINION: This old mutt has been around for a few years now and it seems these ‘once in 100-year’ weather…