Articles tagged with Culture
New Zealand’s Food Safety Minister Leads APEC Efforts on Regional Food Security
1 day ago | 74 viewsFood Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard is representing New Zealand at the 11th APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in China, which focuses on regional cooperation to address food security challenges and promote sustainable, resilient food systems. The forum brings together 21 member economies to share policies, enhance trade, and collaborate on innovation, climate resilience, and supply chain stability. New Zealand emphasizes its commitment to open trade and access to safe, nutritious food while engaging in bilateral meetings with business stakeholders during the visit.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister New Zealand APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting Asia Pacific food security sustainable agriculture economic cooperation tradeNew Zealand to Ease Drone Rules Boosting Agricultural Productivity by 2027
5 days ago | 101 viewsThe New Zealand government announced reforms to drone regulations aimed at boosting agricultural productivity by reducing red tape and simplifying certification for routine drone spraying operations. These changes will allow farmers to use drones for pesticide and fertiliser application with only prior notification to the Civil Aviation Authority, cutting costs and delays while maintaining safety and environmental protections. The reforms, effective mid-2027, aim to enhance competitiveness with international farmers by enabling more efficient, cost-effective drone use in agriculture.
Tags: David Seymour James Meager agricultural drones drone regulations Civil Aviation Authority New Zealand agriculture drone spraying regulatory reform pesticide application agricultural innovationNew Zealand Unifies Fisheries Management to Boost Aquaculture Growth by 2035
6 days ago | 140 viewsLegislation changes will centralize fishing and fishery resource management under the Fisheries Act, removing councils' authority to regulate these activities to reduce confusion and streamline oversight. The new planning system replacing the Resource Management Act aims to support primary sector growth, simplify aquaculture consent processes, and enable ministerial decisions on aquaculture space to boost sustainable industry expansion. These reforms intend to enhance fishery sustainability, increase seafood availability, and create economic opportunities while maintaining local community involvement and transitioning existing council rules until 2030.
Tags: Shane Jones Fisheries Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill Resource Management Act aquaculture New Zealand fishery resources councils kaimoanaGovernment Simplifies Freshwater Farm Plans with Risk-Based, Cost-Effective Regulations
6 days ago | 141 viewsThe Government is revising freshwater farm plans to create a simpler, more cost-effective system focused on certifying and auditing only higher-risk farming activities, such as dairy farming and intensive grazing. New regulations will streamline requirements, raise thresholds for mandatory plans, extend certification cycles, and enable industry organizations to provide certification services, reducing duplication and paperwork for farmers. These changes aim to better manage actual water quality risks while minimizing costs and administrative burdens for farmers.
Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard freshwater farm plans Natural Environment Bill farm plan certification farm plan auditing Agriculture Minister Associate Environment Minister farm plan regulationsGovernment Invests $750K to Boost New Zealand Blackcurrant Industry & Exports
6 days ago | 126 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $300,000 alongside industry funding to support a three-year project aimed at transforming the blackcurrant sector into a global leader in premium, health-focused ingredients. The initiative will enhance local value by refining juice extraction to produce high anthocyanin extract powder, supporting research, market development, and promoting New Zealand blackcurrants internationally. This innovation seeks to increase growers' earnings, boost export opportunities, and strengthen New Zealand's position in global health and nutrition markets.
Tags: Todd McClay New Zealand blackcurrant agriculture health ingredients Primary Sector Growth Fund anthocyanins export markets JapanNew Zealand and Viet Nam Strengthen Bilateral Trade and Agricultural Cooperation
1 week ago | 194 viewsNew Zealand and Viet Nam are enhancing their bilateral trade and cooperation, particularly in agriculture, through new market access and a Memorandum of Arrangement focused on agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. This partnership will allow Viet Nam to access premium New Zealand products like honey and venison, while New Zealand imports Vietnamese flowers and foliage, reflecting mutual benefits for producers and consumers. The collaboration emphasizes research, technology, sustainable agriculture, and capability development, building on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established last year.
Tags: Todd McClay New Zealand Viet Nam bilateral trade agriculture Memorandum of Arrangement Comprehensive Strategic Partnership exporters sustainable agriculture diplomatic relationsNew Zealand and Viet Nam Advance Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Key Agreements
1 week ago | 200 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Viet Nam’s President To Lam agreed on new measures to advance the New Zealand-Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade, investment, science, technology, and security cooperation. They announced five key outcomes in agricultural cooperation, market access, education, defence, and climate-smart agriculture to benefit exporters, farmers, and health professionals. This visit, the first by a Vietnamese President to New Zealand since 2007, sets a clear direction for the bilateral relationship in the coming decade.
Tags: Christopher Luxon To Lam New Zealand Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Ha Noi trade agriculture diplomatic relationsFast-Track Approval Boosts Hananui Aquaculture Project and NZ Economy
2 weeks ago | 169 viewsThe Hananui Aquaculture Project off Stewart Island, the first aquaculture venture approved through New Zealand's Fast-track process, is expected to produce 14,400 tonnes of salmon annually, generating over $310 million in sales and creating up to 480 jobs. This approval aligns with government efforts to support Māori commercial aquaculture and aims to boost the sector towards a $3 billion annual revenue target by 2035 through large-scale open-ocean farming. The Fast-track process, which has approved 31 projects so far, accelerates development timelines, supporting regional growth, job creation, and New Zealand’s leadership in sustainable seafood production.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Ngāi Tahu Seafood Resources Limited Hananui Aquaculture Project Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act New Zealand salmon farms Aquaculture Development Plan SouthlandGovernment Funds $200K Agri Futures Program to Support At-Risk Youth in NZ
2 weeks ago | 203 viewsThe NZ Rural Games Trust has received $100,000 from the Youth Development Partnership and Innovation Fund, matched by the Trust for a total of $200,000, to run a ten-week ‘Agri Futures Pathways’ pilot program for at-risk youth aged 12 to 24 in the lower North Island. The program offers hands-on workshops in rural industry skills such as sheep shearing, quadbike safety, and horticulture, and supports participation in the national Clash of the Colleges competition. This initiative aims to engage young people with education and career opportunities in the primary sector, aligning with government goals to fund programs demonstrating successful outcomes.
Tags: James Meager NZ Rural Games Trust Youth Development Partnership Agri Futures Pathways Clash of the Colleges primary industries rural workforce agriculture horticulture Ministry of Youth DevelopmentNew Zealand Modernises RSE Scheme to Simplify and Protect Seasonal Workers
4 weeks ago | 240 viewsThe Government is modernising the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to simplify its use, enhance worker protections, and maintain opportunities for New Zealanders and Pacific workers. Key reforms include a graduated accreditation system for employers, clearer rules on recoverable costs, improved flexibility for worker movement between employers, and updated accommodation and pastoral care standards. These staged changes, starting in 2027, aim to sustain the scheme’s success in supporting New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture sectors while strengthening partnerships with Pacific communities.
Tags: Erica Stanford Recognised Seasonal Employer RSE scheme New Zealand Pacific workers horticulture viticulture immigration pastoral care accommodation standardsNew Planning and Environment Bills Boost Farming with Practical Freshwater Plans
1 month ago | 297 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Minister Andrew Hoggard welcome the Select Committee report on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill as key reforms replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA) to support farmers and economic growth. The bills introduce a practical, risk-based freshwater farm plan system, removing audit requirements for non-certified plans and focusing certification and audits only on higher-risk farming activities. These changes aim to reduce costs, delays, and uncertainty for farmers while ensuring environmental protections and compliance in sensitive areas.
Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Agriculture Minister Associate Environment Minister Associate Agriculture Minister Select Committee Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill RMA freshwater farm plansGovernment Invests $15.5M in Bay of Plenty Marina and Geothermal Projects
1 month ago | 340 viewsThe Government is investing $12.5 million through the Regional Infrastructure Fund to develop Ōpōtiki Marina, supporting aquaculture growth and creating up to 87 construction jobs. Additionally, a $3 million grant will fund the Gas to Geoheat – Tauranga Geothermal System Project, exploring geothermal energy potential to support future renewable energy initiatives and create 15-20 jobs. These investments aim to unlock the Bay of Plenty’s natural resource potential, boost regional economic growth, job creation, and energy security.
Tags: Shane Jones Bay of Plenty Ōpōtiki Marina Regional Infrastructure Fund aquaculture GeoExchange NZ Limited Tauranga Geothermal System geothermal energy Te Kaha Mount MaunganuiBay of Plenty Aquaculture Settlement Boosts Growth and Jobs for Te Moana-a-Toi Iwi
1 month ago | 324 viewsA major aquaculture settlement between the Crown and Te Moana-a-Toi iwi, involving 5000 hectares of new aquaculture space, aims to drive significant economic growth and workforce development in the Bay of Plenty. The region, known for open ocean mussel farming, has the potential to generate $200 million in annual revenue by 2035, contributing to the Government’s goal of $3 billion in aquaculture revenue nationwide. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones highlighted the settlement as a milestone that supports iwi leadership and strengthens local communities through stable jobs and export opportunities.
Tags: Shane Jones Crown Bay of Plenty Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act Tauranga New Zealand Aquaculture Development Plan mussel farming aquaculture settlementGovernment and Federated Farmers Provide $100K Support for Flood-Hit Kaikōura Farmers
1 month ago | 341 viewsThe Government is providing $50,000 to the Farmers Adverse Events Trust to aid flood-affected Kaikōura farmers, with Federated Farmers matching the amount through fundraising. The immediate focus is on animal welfare, with efforts underway to relocate around 4,000 animals from flood-damaged areas to safe grazing, while ongoing assessments continue for other regions impacted by severe weather. Farmers are advised to monitor weather forecasts, take precautions, and contact support services like the Rural Support Trust and MPI for assistance.
Tags: Todd McClay Kaikōura Federated Farmers Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Support Trust Farmers Adverse Events Trust Otago Wairarapa Agriculture Minister MetServiceGovernment Supports Wairarapa Farmers Amid Heavy Rain Damage and Erosion
1 month ago | 389 viewsThe Government is collaborating with farmers and rural communities in the Wairarapa to assess damage from recent heavy rain, including harm to roads, bridges, and farmland erosion. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasized ongoing support efforts, coordination with local officials, and urged farmers to prepare for further adverse weather by safeguarding stock and infrastructure. Farmers needing assistance can contact the Rural Support Trust or MPI, with the Government ready to escalate its response as necessary.
Tags: Todd McClay Mike Butterick Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Support Trust Wairarapa Government Agriculture Minister MetService farmers rural communities