Agriculture News & Articles
Landmark Agreement Enhances NZ Poultry Industry Biosecurity
2 days ago | 79 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
3 days ago | 97 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
4 days ago | 67 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
1 week ago | 133 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
2 weeks ago | 139 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
2 weeks ago | 279 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
3 weeks ago | 311 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
1 month ago | 356 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
1 month ago | 798 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
1 month ago | 521 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 eventsActing Prime Minister Congratulates Hugh Jackson, 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year
1 month ago | 447 viewsThe Acting Prime Minister has extended warm congratulations to Hugh Jackson on being crowned the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year. “Last night I was lucky enough to attend the Young Farmer of the Year grand final in Invercargill. It was a brilliant event, celebrating the future of farming and showcasing their expertise, leadership, and passion for agriculture,” says Mr Seymour.
Tags: Hugh Jackson Seymour Young Farmer of the Year Invercargill Waikato Bay of Plenty Epsom New Zealand agriculture farming export revenueInnovative Investment Boosts New Zealand's King Salmon Feed Development for Export Growth
1 month ago | 674 viewsThe Government is backing innovation to grow New Zealand’s high-value aquaculture exports, with a $455,000 investment from the new Primary Sector Growth Fund to support the development of specialised feed for King salmon, Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced today. The $1. 2 million project—led by global aquafeed company Skretting—will design feed tailored specifically for New Zealand’s King salmon, supporting the growth of open ocean farming and helping reduce costs for local producers.
Tags: Government innovation aquaculture exports investment Primary Sector Growth Fund Todd McClay agriculture trade King salmonGovernment Facilitates Support for Flood-Affected Farmers in Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough Regions
2 months ago | 622 viewsThe Government today classified the flooding across the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions as a medium-scale adverse event unlocking extra support for flood-affected farmers and growers Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say. “Last week’s deluge damaged infrastructure such as livestock fences, culverts, and tracks, and left pasture and orchards covered in silt and flood debris,” Mr McClay says. “The Government is making up to $100,000 available to support and coordinate recovery efforts, including up to $20,000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust.
Tags: Farmers Mark patterson Marlborough Mayoral relief fund Metservice Ministry for primary industries On farm support Patterson Rural communities Rural support trust Taskforce green Todd mcclay Top of the south rural support trustNew Zealand Bee Health Trust Takes Over National AFB Pest Management Plan
2 months ago | 612 viewsBiosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has appointed a new management agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan (AFB NPMP). The New Zealand Bee Health and Biosecurity Trust (NZBB) will take over management of the NPMP from 1 July 2025. “The NZBB will bring a lot of experience.
Tags: Afb management Afb management agency Afb npmp American Andrew hoggard Apiculture nz Biosecurity act Charitable trust Hoggard National american fbrood pest management New zealand New zealand bee health and biosecurity trustGovernment Takes Stand to Safeguard Farmland for Food Production with Climate Change Bill
2 months ago | 525 viewsThe Government has taken a major step towards protecting food production by ending the large-scale conversion of productive farmland into pine plantations, with the first reading of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme—Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill receiving unanimous support in Parliament last night. “This Bill is about protecting our most valuable land that grows food for export and sustains rural communities,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “For too long, ETS incentives have driven the wrong outcomes for our rural sector.
Tags: Climate change response Conversion New zealand Todd mcclay Trading scheme