Thursday, 26 October 2023 10:55

Gumboot diplomacy!

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: Your canine crusader notes that the new parliament will have a fresh array of new MPs from farming backgrounds taking up seats in the nation's capital.

The Nats have the likes of Miles Anderson, Mike Butterick, Suze Redmayne and Grant McCullum joining their ranks.

Meanwhile, ACT sees the addition of former Feds president Andrew Hoggard to their caucus and NZ First sees the return of Mark Patterson.

Many of these MPs have close ties to Federated Farmers, including the aforementioned Hoggard, Anderson and Butterick from National and NZ First's Patterson.

That should make a nice change for the farmer lobby in having a few friends and ex-colleagues in the halls of power.

More like this

Methane emission target reset

OPINION: For close to eight years now, I have found myself talking about methane quite a lot.

Full cabinet

OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the cogs of Cabinet.

New freshwater farm plans 'practical and affordable'

OPINION: Entering Parliament back in 2023, I wanted to help put the fun back in farming. After six years of Labour, rural New Zealand was tired of the relentless waves of red tape and compliance, draining joy from people who just want to work the land.

Poultry industry, Govt sign landmark biosecurity deal

The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).

Witchunt?

OPINION: Newsroom is running a series of articles looking into the influence of lobbying and has kicked it off with agriculture.

Featured

Australian teams to help repair North Canterbury irrigators after storm

Moves are afoot to get a team of Australians over here to help repair North Canterbury's irrigation machinery, ravaged by the big windstorm of late October.

Early drought conditions emerging in Hawke’s Bay as rainfall drops

As you approach Hastings from the south along SH2, the colour of the west-facing hills are a good indicator of a drought.

Global beef trade set for growth driven by Asia – Rabobank report

Global beef trade is expected to grow steadily over the next five years, driven by increasing demand from Asia and strategic export expansions by South American countries.

Bremworth reintroduces solution-dyed nylon while backing wool carpets

Carpet maker Bremworth is reinstating solution-dyed nylon (SDN) into its product mix but says wool carpets remain central to its brand.

New series draws rural inspiration

While New Zealand may be under siege from braindead, flesh-eating monstrosities, that doesn’t mean lambing can stop.

India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) dairy outcomes

OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.

National

Levies return 26c/kgMS per year in value, DairyNZ reports

Milksolids levies paid by dairy farmers over the past six years have generated nearly $3 billion in value, according to…

Landowners urged to trim trees to prevent major power outages

Power bills could be lower, and power restored faster following a storm if landowners took greater responsibility for trimming trees…

Hawke’s Bay farmers donate livestock to support rescue helicopter

A Hawke's Bay farming family of self-confessed 'frequent flyers' has donated the proceeds from their spring lambs.

Biosecurity NZ ramps up hunt for yellow-legged hornet on Auckland’s North Shore

Biosecurity New Zealand is intensifying its campaign to locate and eliminate the invasive yellow-legged hornet, following confirmed detections on Auckland's…