Farmers Warned Over Track Dangers After Wairarapa Floods
The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.
OPINION: Your old mate had a bit of a giggle at the recent maiden speech to Parliament by new Waitaki MP and primary production deputy chair Miles Anderson.
The former Fed Farmers national council member made a number of good points in his speech about the unfair criticism of farmers by policy makers and NGOs and the huge contribution to the nation made by the primary sector.
However, Anderson raised a few laughs when he acknowledged the presence - right across the house - of MPs he had worked with prior to entering politics.
He made special mention of Labour MPs Damien O'Connor and Jo Luxton who he saw as "sharing National Party values".
He then went on to say both have "been held by the Labour Party for so long that they suffer from Stockholm Syndrome".
Someone release them from captivity!
The Opportunity Party has faced criticism during the election campaign that its policies are too urban-focused and offer little for rural communities.
The chair of the country's environmental regulator, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), says changes are already under way to improve the performance of the agency to better meet the needs of those who interface with them.
Alliance Group's $16 million programme to install innovative heat pump systems at its Otago and Southland processing plants wins a New Zealand Energy Excellence Award after cutting annual emissions by more than 24,000 tonnes of CO₂e.
The arable sector losing good people and land is a major concern for the 2026 Arable Farmers of the Year, Mid Canterbury seed growers John and Mel McCaw.
The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.
Bigger, bolder salads packed with colour, crunch and flavour are making headlines overseas — and the arrival of fresh spring vegetables means New Zealanders can now get chopping too, creating their own Great Kiwi Spring Salad.

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