Damien O’Connor Criticises Budget 2026 as ‘Miserable’ for Rural New Zealand
A miserable budget that didn’t deliver much for anyone.
Your old mate notes that after almost two years of cosy meetings and more than $2 million wasted, Ag minister Damien O’Connor’s brainfart, the Primary Sector Council, released its ‘strategy’ on the eve of Christmas, last year.
Despite O’Connor having the ‘Cuddler in Chief’ (PM Ardern) in tow at the launch, the PSC strategy was insipid – coming up with the big idea that NZ will become a world leader in regenerative agriculture and the oh-so woke Māori concept of Taiao!
No wonder this forgettable piece of work was released so that it would disappear in the pre-Xmas madness.
However, while the PSC is under the auspice of MPI, that organisation’s legions of communications advisors and PR were all too busy. Instead, the PSC – no stranger to freely spending taxpayer funds – hired an expensive, Auckland-based PR agency to spin its strategy.
No amount of money or PR spin will ever make a silk purse out of this pig’s ear of a policy!
Decades piloting planes has ensured vet and farmer David Hayes is focused on safety. So, after a serious accident while welding on farm, he is sharing his experience so others can learn from it.
Canterbury milk processor, Synlait Milk has confirmed Leon Fung as its chief executive officer.
OPINION: Making it easier to collect rainwater and use it to grow crops and livestock is a no brainer.
As part of its Election 2026 coverage, Rural News asked political parties how they would help pull the arable sector out of the doldrums. Here's what they said:
Farmers are being encouraged to rethink how they manage waste on farm with the launch of ruralwastesorted.co.nz, a new website bringing together practical tips, real farmer experiences and resources.
New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) is celebrating the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) coming into force today, bringing New Zealand wine improved access to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

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