Make it 1000%!
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of 125% on the US, up from the 84% announced earlier.
OPINION: The Marsden Fund used to be reserved for top-tier research funding but now stands accused of burning public funds on PC identity politics crap.
The Fund says it "Supports excellence in science, engineering, maths, social sciences and the humanities... by providing grants for research".
The Marden money is all from the government (i.e. taxpayers).
Last year, that funding amounted to $83.5 million - almost exactly what's needed to fund the 13 cancer drugs that we couldn't, but apparently now can, afford.
The Taxpayer's Union says the rot set in at the Fund following a 2012 amendment to the funding criteria, to include "humanities", diverting funds to pet projects of "tofu-munching, climate-striking, purple-haired academics" that don't bring any return to taxpayers.
Only this season’s $10/kgMS bumper payout has saved some dairy farms along the Taranaki coast from absolute disaster due to the present drought – dubbed as one of the worst ever for some.
A survey of contract milkers in the dairy sector has revealed some shocking statistics - 43% of respondents reported abusive behaviour from a farm owner and a whopping 72% suffered a mental and/or financial setback in the role.
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.