Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade
When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.
OPINION: The Hound suggests if there was any doubt that our so-called farmer industry bodies are little more than a bunch of quislings who are fully in the Government's pocket, then a recent publicity stunt will have quelled that doubt.
Earlier this month, PM Jacinda Ardern - joined by her chief handbag carrier Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor - was in the Waikato for a pre-Budget publicity photo shoot.
This stunt wasn't held on just any old Waikato farm, but on the property of current DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel.
When most farmers wouldn't want to be seen dead in the company of possibly the most anti-farming Government in NZ's history, van der Poel couldn't have seemed happier.
Makes it hard to argue that the lack of fight and push back from DairyNZ at the avalanche of govt regulations on farming doesn't come right from the top!
A buoyant farm economy should make for a successful 2026 Southern Field Days, says chairman Steve Henderson.
OPINION: November 7 has been set by Christopher Luxon as ‘E day’ – election day.
The strong wool market has improved in the past six months, despite drops in production over recent years.
On January 5th at Te Pa Station, the World Sheep Shearing Records saw a new nine-hour strong wool ewes shearing record set by Simon Goss.
Recently awarded in the New Years Honours List for Services to Agriculture and Governance, well known dairy farmer Lloyd Downing has become an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).
International trade expert Stephen Jacobi says Winston Peters' objections to the Indian free trade deal are "ridiculous".

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