Agriculture News & Articles
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AgriZeroNZ Welcomes New Leaders to Drive On-Farm Emissions Reduction Efforts
17 Oct 2025, 12:21 PM | 11 months ago | 1128 viewsExperienced agribusiness leaders Simon Limmer and Murray Dyer have been appointed to the AgriZeroNZ board by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay for three-year terms. They will join the existing board chaired by Rob Hewett to drive the adoption of new tools for reducing on-farm emissions. AgriZeroNZ, a public-private joint venture, has already invested in 14 ventures and research projects, with plans to make up to 11 mitigation tools available by 2030 to help Kiwi farmers reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and meeting climate obligations.
Tags: AgriZeroNZ Todd McClay Simon Limmer Murray Dyer Rob Hewett Silver Fern Farms Indevin Group Prime Markets agriculture emissionsNew Zealand Government Implements Groundbreaking Animal Welfare Reforms for Pigs by 2035
01 Oct 2025, 4:23 PM | 1 year ago | 1407 viewsThe Government of New Zealand is proposing changes to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to improve welfare outcomes for pigs, including new requirements for farrowing crates and mating stalls, with the regulations set to take effect on December 19, 2035. These changes aim to elevate animal welfare standards in New Zealand, balancing the needs of the farming industry with public expectations, following extensive consultation with stakeholders. The proposed amendments will increase minimum spacing for grower pigs, limit sow confinement in farrowing crates to seven days, and restrict mating stall use to three hours at a time, emphasizing the importance of providing manipulable materials and meeting space requirements for pigs.
Tags: Animal Welfare Act 1999 pigs New Zealand Andrew Hoggard farrowing crates mating stalls space requirements farmers regulations welfare outcomesTe Waihekeora Reservoir: Boosting Horticulture & Jobs in Northland
25 Sep 2025, 12:00 PM | 1 year ago | 1096 viewsThe completion of Te Waihekeora Reservoir in Northland, managed by Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust, will significantly boost horticulture and job opportunities in the region. The reservoir, opened by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones, will unlock over 1000ha of land for horticulture, with potential for expansion through the Kaipara pipeline. This water infrastructure project aims to enhance water security, support horticultural development, stimulate economic growth, and supply water to key local users, contributing to the region's economic prosperity and the government's goals for sustainable growth in food and fibre exports.
Tags: Horticulture job opportunities Northland Te Waihekeora Reservoir Christopher Luxon Shane Jones water infrastructure horticultural development economic growthLandcorp Introduces Livestock Equity Partnership for Future of Farming in New Zealand
09 Sep 2025, 2:01 PM | 1 year ago | 1350 viewsLandcorp has introduced a new livestock equity partnership program in New Zealand to assist farm operators in building equity and securing the future of farming, according to State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown. The initiative aligns with the government's goals of enhancing rural employment, boosting farm productivity, and facilitating ownership opportunities for the next generation of farmers. The equity partnership model expands on Landcorp's existing contract farming options for dairy farmers and aims to promote high performance, unlock the farming sector's potential, and create pathways for aspiring farmers to take ownership of farms like Mahiwi Farm.
Tags: Landcorp livestock equity partnership farm operators farming New Zealand State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown rural employment farm productivity ownership pathways next generation farmersNew Bill Boosts Aquaculture Growth Potential, Eases Regulatory Burden
02 Sep 2025, 3:22 PM | 1 year ago | 1263 viewsA bill protecting marine farmers from costly consent reviews was passed, aiming to support the aquaculture industry's goal of generating $3 billion in revenue by 2035. The Resource Management Act amendments restrict council reviews of coastal permits until 2030, reducing bureaucratic barriers for industry growth. These changes aim to allow marine farmers to focus on innovation and growth rather than dealing with regulatory red tape and costs.
Tags: Shane Jones aquaculture industry marine farmers Resource Management Act regulatory environment Coalition Government consent reviews marine farm consent conditions coastal permits red tapeLandmark Agreement Enhances NZ Poultry Industry Biosecurity
28 Aug 2025, 1:14 PM | 1 year ago | 1456 viewsThe Government and poultry industry have reached a significant agreement to jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). The agreement involves cost-sharing arrangements, with industry contributing to readiness and response costs, and industry bodies being recognized as decision-makers alongside the Government. The focus is on ensuring a unified response to diseases like H5N1 to protect the industry, domestic food supply, and international trade, with the agreement set to take effect on 1 September 2025.
Tags: Government poultry industry landmark deal exotic poultry diseases high pathogenicity avian influenza Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard Egg Producers Federation Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand H5N1 strain Michael BrooksRegional Infrastructure Fund Boosts Horticulture Expansion in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti
27 Aug 2025, 1:00 PM | 1 year ago | 1462 viewsThe Regional Infrastructure Fund is providing $24.62 million to boost horticulture expansion in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti through water storage, flood resilience, and Māori land projects, aiming to enhance regional economies, employment, and export growth while improving resilience to economic shocks and extreme weather events. Specific projects include establishing high-value horticulture on Māori land in Tairāwhiti, expanding water storage capacity in Hawke’s Bay, replenishing the Makauri aquifer in Tairāwhiti, and developing water storage infrastructure for pipfruit orchards. These investments aim to strengthen regional resilience and productivity, with a focus on supporting the regions' economic growth and success.
Tags: Shane Jones Regional Infrastructure Fund Hawke’s Bay Tairāwhiti water storage horticulture expansion whenua Māori projects Regional Development Minister Makauri Aquifer Recharge Limited Ngāti Pahauwera Commercial Development LimitedGovernment Implements Ban on Prolonged Dog Tethering to Safeguard Animal Welfare
26 Aug 2025, 2:13 PM | 1 year ago | 1414 viewsThe Government is implementing new regulations to ban prolonged tethering of dogs, citing concerns about the negative impact on dog health and behavior. The rules target owners who do not provide sufficient exercise for their dogs, with exceptions for certain situations like working dogs. The changes, effective from 25 September 2025, aim to improve animal welfare and have received strong public support.
Tags: Government dogs regulations Andrew Hoggard welfare SPCA owners tethering animal welfare inspectors amendmentNew Law Streamlines Freshwater Farm Plans for NZ Farmers
20 Aug 2025, 1:24 PM | 1 year ago | 1549 viewsThe Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act, passed into law, has improved the freshwater farm plan system to make it more workable and affordable for farmers, reducing duplication and costs by allowing industry organisations to certify and audit plans. This change recognizes good work done by farmers and industry groups in managing risks, focusing on actual on-farm risks and practical actions to reduce them. The Act increases the minimum farm size requiring a freshwater farm plan to 50 hectares for certain land uses, removing the requirement for around 8,000 smaller, lower-risk farms, supporting environmental stewardship and growth in the primary sector.
Tags: Government freshwater farm plan system Resource Management Act Agriculture Minister Todd McClay Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard industry organisations farm plans environmental stewardship growth RMA.Government Acts to Prevent 'Stop Work' Order for NZ Farmers: RMA Reform Bill Update
12 Aug 2025, 4:17 PM | 1 year ago | 1450 viewsThe Government has intervened to prevent potential stop work notices for thousands of New Zealand farmers due to water discharge rules under the RMA, affecting 2,800 Waikato farms. Various regional councils raised concerns, leading to amendments broadening permitted water discharges in the Resource Management Amendment Bill. The changes aim to support farmers, ensure water quality improvement, and avoid hindering economic recovery, with the bill set to pass into law soon.
Tags: Chris Bishop Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Government New Zealand farmers RMA Reform Minister Agriculture Minister Associate Environment Minister Waikato Regional Council Resource Management Amendment BillNew Zealand's Updated Deer Welfare Code: Balancing Protection and Practicality
11 Aug 2025, 10:46 AM | 1 year ago | 1839 viewsAssociate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard has announced the release of a revised Code of Welfare for Deer, emphasizing the importance of balancing animal protection with practicality and economic considerations for farmers. The code, the first of the priority pastoral livestock codes to be finalized, aims to uphold New Zealand's strong reputation for animal welfare standards while ensuring that regulations are practical and proportionate. Developed in consultation with the deer industry, the code sets clear welfare standards and guidelines for farmers to follow, promoting high standards of animal handling and care.
Tags: welfare deer agriculture Andrew Hoggard animal welfare NAWAC industry farming standards careNew Zealand and Indonesia Sign Agricultural Cooperation Agreement for Trade Growth
07 Aug 2025, 10:10 PM | 1 year ago | 1595 viewsNew Zealand's Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Investment Todd McClay and Indonesia's Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman signed a new bilateral arrangement in Jakarta to enhance agricultural cooperation and trade opportunities. The agreement focuses on livestock development, smart agriculture, biosecurity, agricultural research, and streamlined trade processes. Both countries will establish a Consultative Forum to coordinate future cooperation and align efforts on technical standards, certification, and regulatory requirements, aiming to boost exports and investment in agriculture.
Tags: Todd McClay Andi Amran Sulaiman agriculture trade investment cooperation bilateral arrangement Indonesia New Zealand partnershipPrepare for Adverse Weather: Urgent Message from Agriculture Minister Todd McClay
29 Jul 2025, 11:49 AM | 1 year ago | 1799 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay is urging farmers, foresters, and growers in the Top of the South, Bay of Plenty, and parts of Northland to prepare for adverse weather conditions, with orange rain warnings issued for these regions due to significant rainfall expected. MPI staff are on standby to assist, with additional support deployed in affected areas, such as the Top of the South and the Bay of Plenty. Farmers are advised to relocate stock to higher ground in preparation for the storm, and are encouraged to stay updated on weather warnings for further guidance.
Tags: Todd McClay Agriculture Minister farmers foresters growers adverse weather MPI staff rural communities weather warnings surface floodingNew Zealand Farmers' Confidence Soars: Leading the Charge to Double Export Value
28 Jul 2025, 11:06 AM | 1 year ago | 3105 viewsFarmer confidence in New Zealand has reached an eight-year high, indicating the resilience of the sector and progress towards doubling export value. The shift in sentiment is evident from the latest Federated Farmers Confidence Survey, showing a significant increase in confidence levels. This positive trend is attributed to the hard work of rural New Zealanders and government support, with key improvements in profitability, productivity, and mental health reported.
Tags: Farmer confidence Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay New Zealand export value Federated Farmers Confidence Survey rural New Zealanders Labour government profitability mental healthGovernment Increases Financial Support for Nelson Tasman Region's Rural Communities
16 Jul 2025, 10:18 AM | 1 year ago | 2990 viewsThe Government is increasing financial support for rural communities in the Nelson Tasman Region, with an additional $600,000 in funding announced by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay. This brings the total Government contribution to $500,000 to aid farmers, foresters, growers, and rural contractors in recovering from recent severe weather events. The support package includes contributions to the Mayoral Relief Fund, Farmers Adverse Events Trust, Horticulture sector, and coordination efforts to assist affected vineyards, with a focus on providing immediate and meaningful assistance to help rural businesses recover quickly.
Tags: Todd McClay Government rural communities Nelson Tasman Region farmers foresters growers Agriculture and Forestry Minister rural contractors severe weather events