Damien O’Connor Criticises Budget 2026 as ‘Miserable’ for Rural New Zealand
A miserable budget that didn’t deliver much for anyone.
The Hound reckons West Coast MP and Labour’s primary industries spokesman Damian O’Connor made a complete idiot of himself over his ‘support’ during the recent Anzac rugby league test.
O’Connor posted on Twitter what an ‘amazing performance’ it was from the Kiwi team – but unfortunately for him this before the game had been played. Trouble for O’Connor was he’d been travelling on the night the test was to be played, but it had been postponed for 48 hours because of flooding in Brisbane. So when the hapless MP sat down to watch the game ‘live’ his cheerleading was for a test that was played six months before. The good news is the Kiwis did win the match when it was played two days later; the bad news is this did not stop O’Connor from looking like a real plonker.
Joshua Irving has been named the 2026 Ormond Nurseries North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Vets say they support the responsible use of virtual fencing and virtual herding technology for cattle and wants to work with farmers, manufacturers and government to help shape standards for future use backed by ongoing research to strengthen animal welfare outcomes.
National and world records tumbled as top Kiwi axeman claimed two Stihl Timbersports world titles at the same event in Budapest, Hungary over the first weekend in June.
A safety push across New Zealand has revealed significant gaps in hazardous substances management, farm vehicles, tractors, quad bikes and side-by-sides.
New Zealand farmers have earned a global edge by consistently yet cautiously taking advantage of emerging agri-technology.
New season data from LIC shows a strong reproductive performance for the 2025-26 season, with a lift in key metrics compared to last season.