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: Your canine crusader suggests hopes for a change in some of the anti-farming government policies will not be helped by the clear dearth of farming experience and lack of rural knowledge in the ranks of the current Labour administration.
This has been made abundantly clear by its choice of chair and deputy of the primary production select committee.
The Hound reckons that while Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor remains the only member of the current Government with any actual farming background and understanding and have his work cut now with the addition of the huge trade portfolio to manage.
Meanwhile, O’Connor will get bugger all real world advice from the new chair of the primary production select committee Jo Luxton, a former playcentre teacher, or her deputy, former union delegate, and newbie MP Steph Lewis. God help us!
OPINION: Trade Minister Todd McClay and the trade negotiator in government have presented Kiwis with an amazing gift for 2026 - a long awaited and critical free trade deal with India.
Former Agriculture Minister Nathan Guy says he's excited about his new role as NZ's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy.
A pillar of New Zealand's horticultural industry, Dr Stuart Davis, was farewelled at a well-attended funeral service in Tuakau, South Auckland, on December 18.
A stable but uncertain year lies ahead for New Zealand primary products, says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith.
Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.