fbpx
Print this page
Wednesday, 17 January 2024 11:25

Shame!

Written by  The Hound

OPINION: This old mutt hopes the demise of the Labour government at last year’s election will see a return of more agriculture and rural related people recognised for honours in the New Year and King’s Birthday lists.

This year’s New Year honours – as has been the case over the past six years – saw the usual bevy of musicians, artists, failed former politicians, unionists and activists rewarded by the outgoing Labour administration.

Of the 194 people awarded in the New Year’s Honours, only four nominees had any connection to the rural or primary sector.

For a country so heavily reliant on the farming and rural sector this is a disgrace.

Meanwhile, congratulations to former Merino NZ boss John Brackenridge, beekeeper Frank Lindsay, rural doctor Mike Miller and Havelock’s Gavin O’Donnell for service to his local rural community, for their well-deserved accolades in representing the economic backbone of the country.

More like this

True colours

OPINION: The watermelon party (AKA the Greens) try to portray themselves as an upright, self-righteous, caring bunch of woke, bicycle-riding socialists, free of even the smallest venial sin.

Peace at last?

OPINION: Good news for hunters as Forest & Bird have "paused" legal action against the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation and agreed conservation work can continue without the extermination of wapiti.

Food insecurity

OPINION: Good on the UK'S NFU for battling to get supermarkets to prioritise local farmers' produce.

Buy local?

OPINION: Seven of the UK's major supermarket chains have now responded to the call for them to back the nation's farmers by adding 'buy British' tabs to their websites.

Wrong, again!

OPINION: This old mutt well remembers the wailing, whining and gnashing of teeth by former West Coast MP and Labour Agriculture Minister Damian O’Connor when Chineseowned Yili took over the troubled dairy company Westland Milk a few years back.

Featured

Viability of farming questioned

People are starting to question the viability of sheep and beef farming as profitability in that sector falls to one of its all-time lows, according to Federated Farmers board member and Gisborne sheep and beef farm, Toby Williams.

Zespri's net profit down $60m

Kiwifruit exporter and marketer Zespri has reported a $60 million drop in net profit, mainly driven by reduced licence revenue from lower pricing per hectare than 2022/23.

UAE FTA welcome news

The dairy and red meat sectors have welcomed news that New Zealand will begin formal negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

National

Flock House and its secrets

Plans are in place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the legendary Flock House opening its doors for the first…

$160 billion cargo shipment deal

New Zealand’s major primary industry exporters have secured shipping capability to export $160 billion worth of products over the next…

Play by the rules

Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the Government is always working to ensure that our food exporters are treated…

Machinery & Products

GPS in control

In a move that will make harvesting operations easier, particularly in odd-shaped paddocks, Kuhn has announced that GPS section control…