Agriculture News & Articles
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New Rural Scholarship Empowers Future Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry
10 Jun 2026, 8:28 AM | 4 months ago | 777 viewsThe Government has introduced the Minister of Agriculture Future Leaders Scholarship to support emerging leaders in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry by providing three $10,000 grants annually for study and capability building. The program aims to develop governance skills and practical experience in rural primary sector leadership, addressing capability gaps through collaboration with sector leaders. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasizes the scholarship's role in nurturing leadership and sustaining the sector's long-term success.
Tags: Todd McClay Government rural scholarship primary sector Agriculture Forestry young farmers leadership development Ministry for Primary IndustriesGovernment Invests $750,000 in Pilot Projects to Manage Wild Deer Impact on Farms
10 Jun 2026, 8:10 AM | 4 months ago | 783 viewsThe Government is investing $750,000 in three pilot projects led by catchment groups in Rangitīkei, Wairarapa, and North Canterbury to measure and reduce wild deer impacts on privately-owned production land. These projects, running until August 2027, aim to assess deer populations, evaluate control techniques, and inform future management plans while involving farmers, hunters, and regional councils. Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager emphasized that toxins like brodifacoum will not be used, and hunter-led conservation will play a key role in the programme.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard James Meager Ministry for Primary Industries Rangitīkei Wairarapa North Canterbury Hurunui District Landcare Group Wairarapa Catchment Collective Rangitīkei River Catchment Collective GovernmentBudget 2026 Boosts NZ Primary Sector with $4.77B for Growth and Sustainability
29 May 2026, 12:38 PM | 4 months ago | 944 viewsBudget 2026 allocates $4.77 billion over four years to support New Zealand's primary sector, focusing on boosting productivity, improving land management, and enhancing resilience. Key investments include funding to combat wilding pines, reduce agricultural emissions, and support farmer-led initiatives, aiming to sustain the food and fibre sector, the country's largest export earner. The government emphasizes efficient resource use, regulatory reform, market expansion, and environmental partnerships to ensure the sector’s sustainable growth and economic contribution.
Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Mark Patterson Mike Butterick Budget 2026 Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand agriculture food and fibre sector farmersGovernment Backs Hawke’s Bay Growers in Feasibility Study for McCain Site Purchase
29 May 2026, 10:57 AM | 4 months ago | 830 viewsThe Government is supporting Hawke’s Bay growers in exploring a farmer-led purchase of McCain Foods’ vegetable processing site in Hastings by committing $50,000 for a feasibility study. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has engaged with local stakeholders and directed officials from the Ministry for Primary Industries to gather information and provide ongoing support. The Government aims to assist the more than 100 affected growers and their communities during this challenging time.
Tags: Todd McClay Katie Nimon Catherine Wedd Mike Butterick Hawke’s Bay McCain Foods Ministry for Primary Industries Agriculture Minister Hastings Government supportNew Review Launched on Dairy Industry Restructuring Act to Assess Fonterra Rules
19 May 2026, 2:25 PM | 4 months ago | 934 viewsThe Ministry for Primary Industries has released the terms of reference for a mandatory review of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) to evaluate whether its competition provisions regulating Fonterra remain necessary and effective. The review will consider if these provisions should be retained, repealed, or amended, with findings due to Parliament by June 1, 2027, and will include two rounds of stakeholder consultation. DIRA was originally established to support Fonterra’s creation and regulate its market activities beyond general competition laws to ensure efficient dairy market operations in New Zealand.
Tags: Ministry for Primary Industries MPI Dairy Industry Restructuring Act DIRA Agriculture Minister Todd McClay Fonterra dairy sector New Zealand Commerce Act 1986Government Enhances Plant Variety Rights to Boost NZ Exports and Growers' Income
15 May 2026, 3:37 PM | 4 months ago | 865 viewsThe New Zealand Government is strengthening the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 to better protect investments in high-value horticulture, support growers, and boost export returns, particularly for kiwifruit and apples. Key changes include extending the PVR term by five years and restoring provisional protection to allow breeders immediate legal action against exploitation during the application process. These measures aim to encourage innovation, secure jobs, and enhance New Zealand’s competitiveness in global markets.
Tags: Todd McClay Cameron Brewer New Zealand Plant Variety Rights Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit horticulture Biosecurity Science Institute kiwifruit industryNZ Government Amends Hazardous Substances Act to Boost Agri-Product Access
14 May 2026, 4:00 PM | 4 months ago | 882 viewsThe Government is amending the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act to accelerate access to new agricultural and horticultural products, enabling New Zealand farmers to more easily obtain overseas-available pest control and crop protection solutions. The changes, based on a 2024 Ministry for Regulation review, aim to streamline approval processes by reducing complexity, costs, and duplication through greater reliance on overseas regulatory assessments while maintaining local protections. These amendments will enhance regulatory efficiency, support the primary sector's global competitiveness, and uphold environmental and public safety standards.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act Ministry for Regulation Environmental Protection Authority New Zealand farmers agrichemical companies crop protection regulatory pathways invasive species primary sectorGovernment Updates ACVM Bill to Boost Access to Agricultural Chemicals and Vet Medicines
14 May 2026, 3:46 PM | 4 months ago | 1059 viewsThe Government is introducing the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Amendment Bill to streamline access to new agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines by reducing regulatory complexity and focusing on real risks. The Bill enables reliance on trusted overseas assessments, expedites approval for low-risk products, and works alongside the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Amendment Bill to create a more adaptive, internationally aligned regulatory framework. These changes aim to enhance safety, trade competitiveness, transparency, and timely decision-making, with the Bill expected to complete parliamentary readings by late 2026.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines ACVM Amendment Bill Ministry for Primary Industries Hazardous Substances and New Organisms HSNO Amendment Bill Primary Production Committee Food Safety Minister New Zealand government agricultural chemicalsNew Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick Takes Key Roles in NZ Primary Sector
12 May 2026, 3:20 PM | 5 months ago | 1120 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay announced that Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick will oversee the organics sector, water security and storage, the arable sector, Māori agribusiness, and catchment groups. Butterick, a sheep and beef farmer from Wairarapa, brings practical farming experience and will support efforts to reduce red tape and boost productivity in rural communities. Meanwhile, McClay has taken on responsibility for horticulture matters, strengthening the government’s focus on New Zealand’s primary sector.
Tags: Todd McClay Mike Butterick Agriculture Minister Associate Agriculture Minister organics sector water security arable sector Māori agribusiness sheep and beef farmer WairarapaAssociate Minister Visits Silver Fern Farms to Boost Nature-Positive Export Markets
07 May 2026, 11:23 AM | 5 months ago | 895 viewsAssociate Minister Hon Andrew Hoggard visited Silver Fern Farms in Dunedin to learn how the company addresses growing export demand for credible nature and biodiversity outcomes. Silver Fern Farms collaborates with the Government to develop voluntary nature and carbon markets, using innovative tools like PRISM Earth to support on-farm decision-making and link biodiversity to export claims. The visit also highlighted the Nature Market Accelerator initiative, demonstrating effective public-private collaboration to promote nature-positive production in New Zealand’s food industry.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Silver Fern Farms Dunedin PRISM Earth Lynker Analytics Dan Boulton Nature Market Accelerator New Zealand Government biodiversityNew Research to Improve Food Safety Rules for Deer Hunters in New Zealand
06 May 2026, 1:47 PM | 5 months ago | 809 viewsNew research led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute and Lincoln University aims to provide evidence for more targeted food safety rules regarding deer hunting near brodifacoum bait stations. Current regulations impose a two-kilometre buffer zone for three years after poisoning, limiting commercial hunting access, but evolving science may allow for refined, less restrictive measures. This research will also help maintain New Zealand’s reputation for safe meat exports and support trade assurances.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister Bioeconomy Science Institute Lincoln University deer hunters food safety rules brodifacoum toxicology statistical modelling bait station designNew Zealand Tests Foot and Mouth Disease Readiness with Farm Simulations
30 Apr 2026, 9:55 AM | 5 months ago | 1012 viewsNew Zealand will test its foot and mouth disease readiness through upcoming simulations, including Exercise Farm Gate in May and Exercise Cloven Shield in July, led by the Ministry for Primary Industries. These exercises aim to rehearse responses from on-farm detection to national governance, strengthening biosecurity systems to protect the economy and communities. The government emphasizes the importance of preparedness given the potentially massive economic impact of an outbreak, estimated at up to $14.3 billion annually without action.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Biosecurity Minister Ministry for Primary Industries MPI Exercise Farm Gate Exercise Cloven Shield Taranaki foot and mouth disease Government Industry AgreementNew Zealand Reviews Ruminant Protein Rules to Protect $4.9B Beef Export
28 Apr 2026, 9:56 AM | 5 months ago | 902 viewsNew Zealand is reviewing its Biosecurity (Ruminant Protein) Regulations 1999 to prevent BSE (mad cow disease) from entering its cattle and protect the $4.9 billion beef export sector. The review focuses on preventing cross contamination and accidental exposure to ruminant protein in cattle feed, which is crucial for maintaining the country's negligible-risk status recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard emphasizes that getting the regulations right is vital for keeping international markets open, with public consultation running from April 28 to June 12.
Tags: New Zealand Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity ruminant protein regulations BSE mad cow disease beef export World Organisation for Animal Health prion diseases cattleChanel Invests in New Zealand’s Lammermoor Station to Boost Premium Wool Exports
23 Apr 2026, 9:22 AM | 5 months ago | 1131 viewsThe New Zealand Government has welcomed Chanel’s investment in Lammermoor Station, a premium organic fine wool producer, highlighting it as a boost to the country’s export growth and job retention. Recent reforms have significantly streamlined overseas investment application processes, reducing approval times and increasing investor confidence. Chanel aims to enhance Lammermoor’s status by pursuing Regenerative Organic Certification, which would further elevate the value and reputation of New Zealand’s sustainable wool industry.
Tags: Chanel David Seymour Nicola Willis Mike Butterick Lammermoor Station New Zealand Land Information New Zealand Regenerative Organic Certification Overseas Investment Act French luxury fashionNew Crown Land Bill Empowers High Country Farmers to Boost Economy and Jobs
22 Apr 2026, 3:01 PM | 5 months ago | 1024 viewsThe Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill, introduced by Land Information Minister Mike Butterick, aims to provide high country farmers greater flexibility to diversify their activities, including farm shops, hospitality, horticulture, and renewable energy projects, thereby boosting economic growth and job creation in regional New Zealand. The bill seeks to streamline administrative processes, reduce red tape, and ensure that new activities maintain or enhance the unique environmental values of pastoral lands. Public input is invited through the Select Committee process to help shape the final legislation, reflecting the Government’s commitment to economic growth, environmental stewardship, and strong rural communities.
Tags: Mike Butterick Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill high country farmers pastoral leaseholders economic growth regional New Zealand rural community renewable energy projects farm shops Select Committee