Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
This old mutt was flabbergasted at the reaction by some mainstream (lamestream) media to the news that Todd Muller would be replacing the retiring former primary industries minister Nathan Guy as National’s new spokesman in the portfolio.
According to many of these beltway millennials Muller’s appointment to the primary industries role – he moves on from the climate change portfolio – was a ‘demotion’.
However, the Hound insists that Muller’s corporate background at Fonterra and Zespri, and the work he’s done for the Nats on climate change, rank him among NZ’s best qualified potential ag ministers.
And consider the importance of the portfolio to this country’s economy. Muller’s promotion from number 31 to 17 up the National caucus rankings shows this was, in fact, a big promotion and not a demotion.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.