Less Wellington in the way of farming
OPINION: For many farmers, the biggest regulatory challenge they face is the myriad things that the Resource Management Act throws up.
OPINION: The Taxpayers' Union has run the ruler over council rate increases and concluded, "Our councils are out of control".
They've revealed that the average for city and district councils is an eye-watering 14% hike this year on top of the 15% rate hikes at regional councils.
Special mention goes to West Coast, Wellington, Central Hawke's Bay and Gore for topping the 20% mark.
The union also found that at nearly every council, the proportion of spending going to roads, pipes, pumps, etc. has been reducing compared to that spent on staff payroll, back-office bureaucracy, etc.
Analysts agree non-tradeable inflation, driven in no small part by rates, is key to reducing inflation, yet it's hard to see any evidence of councils cutting fat and focusing on core services.
The 2025 game bird season is underway with Hawke’s Bay and Southland reporting the ideal weather conditions for hunters – rain and wind.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.