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Labour's former leader and infamous dead fish holder David Shearer has been making a lot of noise about milk costing more than Coke.
But as a mate of the Hound points out, milk is the product of a wondrously complex biological, economic and logistical process, limited in its production by environmental and regulatory constraints and constrained in its provision by its perishability. Whereas Coke is essentially sugary water. Why is milk more expensive in New Zealand than in London and Sydney? That’s simple. British and Australian supermarkets use milk as a loss leader to encourage shoppers to buy other products – like Coke! What does Shearer want? Does he want supermarkets in NZ to screw dairy farmers as they have done in Australia? No wonder he got the boot as Labour leader.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities Party, labelled by some as the 'LinkedIn Greens' for their corporate spin on Green-esque 'tax the rich' policies.
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in Westminster is a salient warning for us.
OPINION: Proponents of regenerative agriculture tend to be naturally aligned with a 'green mindset', so they will be nonplussed with their new mates in the US of A.
OPINION: Mike Chapman, former chief executive of levy-funded HortNZ, has thrown out a challenge to farmers and growers to put their levy-funded industry organisations under the same scrutiny as fertiliser, electricity, labour and freight.
A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any given issue.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
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As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
