Agriculture News & Articles
New Zealand High Country Land Reforms Boost Farming, Jobs, and Regional Growth
2 days ago | 64 viewsThe New Zealand Government will introduce a Bill to amend the Crown Pastoral Land Act and Land Act, allowing high country farmers more flexibility to diversify activities on Crown pastoral land, including horticulture, hospitality, and renewable energy projects. These changes aim to boost economic productivity, create jobs, and increase returns for taxpayers while maintaining strong environmental protections and pastoral farming as the primary land use. The Bill also reduces administrative burdens, clarifies permitted activities, and provides a pathway for exceptional land use changes, supporting modern, productive farming businesses in the South Island.
Tags: Chris Penk James Meager Crown Pastoral Land Act high country farmers South Island horticulture renewable energy pastoral farming Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill New ZealandNew Rules Boost High Country Farmers: Economic Growth & Land Use Flexibility
2 days ago | 74 viewsThe New Zealand Government will introduce a Bill to amend the Crown Pastoral Land Act and Land Act, allowing high country farmers greater flexibility to diversify activities on Crown pastoral land, including horticulture, hospitality, and renewable energy projects. These changes aim to boost economic productivity, increase returns for taxpayers, support job creation, and strengthen regional economies while maintaining environmental protections and pastoral farming as the primary land use. The Bill also reduces administrative burdens, clarifies permitted activities, and establishes a process for exceptional land use changes, encouraging modern, productive farming businesses in the South Island.
Tags: Chris Penk James Meager Crown Pastoral Land Act South Island high country farmers horticulture renewable energy pastoral farming Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill New ZealandNew Pathway Speeds Up Agri-Chemical and Vet Medicine Registration NZ & Australia
4 days ago | 74 viewsThe New Zealand Government has introduced a pilot program allowing agri-chemical and veterinary medicine companies to register products in both New Zealand and Australia through a single process, reducing duplication. This streamlined approach maintains safety and effectiveness standards while accelerating approvals, benefiting farmers and veterinarians by providing faster access to new products. The initiative follows a bilateral agreement aimed at enhancing primary sector access to agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines in both countries.
Tags: New Zealand Australia Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister veterinary medicine agricultural chemicals pilot program product registration primary sectorOriental Fruit Fly Controls Lifted in Papatoetoe After Successful Eradication
5 days ago | 116 viewsBiosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard announced the lifting of Oriental fruit fly controls in Papatoetoe following a swift response and no further detections since early March. The rigorous biosecurity system, including pre-arrival fruit treatment, border checks, and surveillance trapping, along with community cooperation, was crucial in preventing a damaging infestation. Although the response concludes, the national fruit fly surveillance programme with nearly 8,000 traps remains active to protect New Zealand’s horticultural sector.
Tags: Oriental fruit fly Papatoetoe Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity Minister Biosecurity New Zealand fruit fly detection fruit fly eradication horticultural sector fruit fly surveillance New ZealandNew Zealand and Ireland Strengthen Partnership on Agricultural Climate Research
2 weeks ago | 177 viewsNew Zealand and Ireland have signed a joint ministerial statement to advance agricultural climate research, building on a successful $34.5 million Joint Research Initiative launched in 2022. Both countries aim to develop tools that help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions without lowering production, focusing on pasture-based farming. Additionally, they launched the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases to enhance scientific research, collaboration, and resource mobilization worldwide.
Tags: Todd McClay Noel Grealish New Zealand Ireland Agricultural Climate Research Joint Research Initiative Greenhouse Gas Emissions Ministry for Primary Industries Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Global Research AllianceRural Resilience Workshops Help Farmers Prepare for Emergencies Across NZ
3 weeks ago | 148 viewsAgriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced a series of rural resilience workshops starting next week to help farmers and growers prepare for adverse events following recent damaging floods. These practical workshops, held nationwide alongside a rural resilience roadshow on the West Coast, aim to enhance emergency preparedness in rural communities highly exposed to emergencies. Resources such as a farm emergency plan template and preparedness checklist are available on the Good Farm and MPI websites to support farmers.
Tags: Todd McClay Mark Patterson Agriculture and Forestry Minister Rural Communities Minister New Zealand Otago Blenheim Canterbury Ruapehu WaikatoBluff Oyster Season 2024 Opens with Careful Management Amid Challenges
1 month ago | 236 viewsThe Bluff oyster season has opened with a cautious approach following a pre-season survey indicating challenges such as disease and environmental pressures, but also promising growth of new oysters. Fisheries New Zealand is working closely with local fishers to manage the fishery conservatively, protecting areas with many small oysters and ensuring science-based decisions to safeguard the fishery’s future. The season runs from March to August, with ongoing monitoring planned, and a full survey report to be released later in the year.
Tags: Jenny Marcroft Fisheries New Zealand Bluff oyster Mahurangi oyster Shellfish Working Group Oceans and Fisheries oyster fishers oyster season oyster disease oyster surveyNew Zealand and Chile Sign Strategic Agricultural Partnership for 2026-2030
1 month ago | 265 viewsNew Zealand and Chile have signed the Strategic Agricultural Arrangement 2026–2030 to enhance cooperation in agriculture, focusing on expertise exchange, sustainable development, research, innovation, and climate resilience. Both countries share similar farming systems and advocate for open, rules-based trade, aiming to strengthen their agricultural relationship and seize mutual opportunities. This agreement builds on 80 years of diplomatic ties and aims to boost economic returns for farmers and exporters in both nations.
Tags: New Zealand Chile Todd McClay Ignacia Fernández Agriculture Strategic Agricultural Arrangement trade sustainable development climate resilience diplomatic relationsGovernment Declares Medium-Scale Weather Event, Unlocks Support for Farmers
1 month ago | 313 viewsThe Government has classified recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury as medium-scale adverse events, unlocking additional support for affected farmers and growers. This support includes tax relief, Rural Assistance Payments, and activation of Enhanced Taskforce Green, with the Ministry for Primary Industries conducting on-farm assessments to identify those most in need. Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson urges farmers and growers to seek help through the Rural Support Trust for ongoing recovery efforts.
Tags: Todd McClay Mark Patterson Ministry of Social Development Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Support Trust Bay of Plenty Canterbury Enhanced Taskforce Green Agriculture MinisterGovernment Invests $2M in Central Otago’s Falls Dam Replacement Pre-Construction
1 month ago | 325 viewsThe Government is providing a $2 million loan through the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support pre-construction work on replacing the aging Falls Dam near St Bathans, vital for irrigating 8,000 hectares of Central Otago farmland. The funding will help Manuherikia River Limited assess regulatory, engineering, and financial aspects to ensure a secure and sustainable water supply for horticulture, viticulture, and farming. This project aims to enhance the region’s economic and climate resilience by delivering reliable irrigation and supporting higher-value land uses, with pre-construction expected to take about two years.
Tags: Mark Patterson Falls Dam Central Otago Manuherikia River Limited Regional Infrastructure Fund irrigation horticulture viticulture sheep farming water infrastructureNew Zealand Declared Free of Queensland Fruit Fly After Swift Biosecurity Response
1 month ago | 289 viewsNew Zealand has eradicated the Queensland fruit fly from Mt Roskill after a swift biosecurity response, with no further evidence found since a single male fly was detected in January. Biosecurity New Zealand lifted movement controls on fruit and vegetables, protecting the horticulture industry, which is projected to export $9.2 billion worth of produce by 2026. The success reflects a robust multi-layered biosecurity system and strong community cooperation, preventing significant damage to the sector.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Queensland fruit fly New Zealand Mt Roskill horticulture industry Kiwifruit biosecurity fruit fly eradication community cooperationSix Students Awarded 2026 On Farm Support Science Scholarships for Agriculture
1 month ago | 297 viewsSix tertiary students from Lincoln University, Massey University, and the University of Canterbury have been awarded $5,000 On Farm Support Science Scholarships to support their studies in agricultural science, commerce, and environmental sustainability. The scholarships aim to develop the next generation of on-farm advisers who will provide specialized expertise and advice to farmers and growers, with recipients also receiving mentorship from the Ministry for Primary Industries. These students have diverse interests spanning dairy, sheep, beef, horticulture, agri-tech, and sustainability, and are poised to contribute to the future resilience and innovation of New Zealand's food and fibre sector.
Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Cameron Brans Jack Green Fraser Wilson Eibhlin Lynch Ella Hogan Cecily Holland Lincoln University Massey UniversityAhuwhenua Trophy 2026 Finalists Celebrate Māori Excellence in Agriculture and Horticulture
1 month ago | 388 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka congratulated the finalists for the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy, which honors Māori excellence in farming and horticulture, highlighting their contribution to New Zealand’s economy and rural employment. The competition now includes horticulture, reflecting its 50% growth on Māori land since 2017, and recognizes the sector’s role in supporting Māori communities through jobs and reinvestment. Finalists will host field days for further judging, with the overall winner announced on 5 June in Whangārei.
Tags: Todd McClay Tama Potaka Ahuwhenua Trophy Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective Otama Marere Trust Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust Māori farmers horticulture New Zealand economy Māori DevelopmentAgriculture Minister Celebrates Record $4B Lamb Exports Ahead of National Lamb Day
1 month ago | 342 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay hosted a barbecue to celebrate National Lamb Day and the milestone of lamb exports exceeding $4 billion, highlighting the red meat sector's vital economic contribution to New Zealand. The government aims to boost the agriculture sector by cutting red tape, enhancing trade, and supporting farmers to help double export values within ten years. Key trade achievements include agreements with the UAE, Gulf Cooperation Council, and India, with ongoing efforts to remove trade barriers and expand market access.
Tags: Todd McClay Agriculture Minister National Lamb Day New Zealand red meat sector lamb exports NZ–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement India sheep and beef farmersGovernment Commits $28M for Hill Country Erosion Control to Protect Farmland
1 month ago | 398 viewsThe Government is investing nearly $28 million in the Hill Country Erosion Programme (HCEP) to support erosion control projects from 2027 to 2031, aiming to protect productive land and reduce environmental and economic impacts. The programme, established in 2007 and supported by multiple councils and landowners, focuses on treating vulnerable land, creating farm-scale erosion control plans, and building regional capability. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay emphasized the programme’s role in helping farmers prepare for severe weather and safeguarding soil health for future sustainability.
Tags: Todd McClay Hill Country Erosion Programme Agriculture and Forestry Minister Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service erosion control productive land soil health regional councils farmland protection