Agriculture News & Articles
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$1.97M Investment to Restore Southern Scallop Fishery and Boost Economy
02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 232 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $1.97 million alongside industry partners in a seven-year programme to restore the southern scallop fishery in Tasman and Golden Bays, aiming to rebuild the marine habitat and create a self-sustaining fishery. The project involves restoring 39 hectares of seabed by placing mussel shells to improve conditions for scallops, addressing past habitat degradation and poor juvenile survival. With strong support from iwi and industry, the $5.02 million initiative is expected to generate $21 million in revenue over 20 years, benefiting the regional economy, biodiversity, and community wellbeing.
Tags: Shane Jones Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company southern scallop fishery Primary Sector Growth Fund Tasman Bay Golden Bay New Zealand scallop restoration marine habitat Top of the South iwi$1.97M Investment to Restore Southern Scallop Fishery and Boost Economy
02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 183 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $1.97 million, alongside over 60% industry funding, in a seven-year program to restore the southern scallop fishery in Tasman and Golden Bays, aiming to rebuild the fishery, marine habitat, and biodiversity. The project involves restoring 39 hectares of seabed using mussel shells to improve habitat conditions, supported by science, innovation, and collaboration with iwi and industry stakeholders. This restoration is expected to generate approximately $21 million in new revenue over 20 years, benefiting the regional economy, seafood sector, and community wellbeing.
Tags: southern scallop fishery Shane Jones Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company New Zealand Primary Sector Growth Fund marine habitat restoration Tasman Bay Golden Bay scallop restoration Top of the South iwiGovernment Seeks Feedback on Easier Local Animal Buying and Processing Rules
31 Aug 2026 | 1 week ago | 234 viewsThe Government is seeking public feedback on updating rules to make it easier to buy and process animals from local farmers, including relaxing the 28-day care requirement and potentially allowing wider sharing of homekill and hunted meat. Proposed changes include labeling homekill and hunted meat to indicate they haven't undergone standard retail checks, while maintaining provider requirements and the ban on selling such meat. The consultation aims to clarify vague rules, especially to enable hunters to donate meat to foodbanks, and runs until 5 October 2026.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister Government MPI Ministry for Primary Industries homekill recreational hunters local farmers foodbanks meat processingGovernment Funds $4.6M Hyperspectral Imaging to Boost NZ Apple Industry Profitability
28 Aug 2026 | 2 weeks ago | 215 viewsThe New Zealand Government is funding a $4.6 million research project, led by agritech company Hectre, to develop hyperspectral imaging technology that non-destructively assesses the internal quality of apples in packhouses. This innovation aims to improve detection of defects and fruit maturity in real-time, enhancing storage, packing, and export decisions to reduce waste and boost fruit quality. The project targets at least 80% detection accuracy by 2027 and seeks to strengthen the apple industry's productivity, export performance, and global competitiveness.
Tags: Todd McClay Hectre apple industry hyperspectral imaging horticulture New Zealand Primary Sector Growth Fund agritech productivity export performanceNew Zealand’s Food Safety Minister Leads APEC Efforts on Regional Food Security
23 Aug 2026 | 2 weeks ago | 293 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
19 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 263 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 innovationGovernment Supports Waikato and Manawatū Farmers During Planning System Transition
19 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 296 viewsThe Government is taking targeted action to provide certainty for farmers in Waikato and Manawatū-Whanganui by preventing restrictive elements of Plan Change 1 (PC1) and Plan Change 2 (PC2) from applying during the transition to a new planning system, reducing duplication and regulatory burden. While ongoing environmental improvements remain required, prescribed nitrogen discharge reductions under PC2 will no longer apply, and the new natural environment plan will specifically consider PC1 to respect prior work. These changes aim to avoid economic disruption and uncertainty for farmers, with amendments to be progressed through upcoming legislation later this month.
Tags: Chris Bishop Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Waikato RMA Reform Plan Change 1 Plan Change 2 Horizons Regional Council New Zealand GovernmentGovernment Updates Planning System to Support Farmers, Protect Environment, and Boost Investment
19 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 304 viewsThe Government is making targeted amendments to the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill to create a faster, clearer, and more practical planning system that supports food and fibre production while protecting the environment. Key changes include simplifying environmental limits, extending the definition of existing use to 12 months for seasonal activities, and amending long-lived infrastructure permits to provide greater investment certainty. Additionally, the amendments strengthen biodiversity protections, allow councils to manage waterbody effects more flexibly, and aim to reduce complexity while maintaining environmental improvement.
Tags: Chris Bishop Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Simon Court Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill RMA Reform food and fibre production environmental protectionsGovernment Simplifies Freshwater Farm Plans with Risk-Based, Cost-Effective Regulations
19 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 315 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
18 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 300 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 $1.5M Grant Supports Kiwi Poultry Operators Against H5 Bird Flu Risks
17 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 486 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched a $1.5 million Poultry Biosecurity Grant to help small to medium-sized poultry operators prepare for the potential arrival of H5 bird flu by funding up to 50% of biosecurity improvements. This grant supports infrastructure upgrades, bird-proofing, cleaning facilities, and development of biosecurity plans, aiming to protect jobs, livelihoods, and the domestic food supply ahead of new regulations effective by the end of 2026. With two confirmed H5 detections but no poultry outbreaks, the government emphasizes strong biosecurity as a key defense and encourages applications by 30 September 2026.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Kiwi poultry operators H5 bird flu Poultry Biosecurity Grant New Zealand government biosecurity regulations poultry farms avian influenza poultry sector grant fundingNew $1.5M Poultry Biosecurity Grant to Help Kiwis Prepare for H5 Bird Flu
17 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 517 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched a $1.5 million Poultry Biosecurity Grant to help small to medium-sized poultry operators prepare for the possible arrival of H5 bird flu by funding up to 50% of costs for biosecurity improvements. This grant supports infrastructure upgrades, bird-proofing, cleaning facilities, and development of required biosecurity plans ahead of new regulations effective by the end of 2026. With two confirmed H5 detections but no poultry outbreaks, the initiative aims to protect jobs, food supply, and the poultry sector from this ongoing biosecurity threat.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Kiwi poultry operators H5 bird flu Poultry Biosecurity Grant New Zealand government biosecurity regulations poultry farms avian influenza poultry sector grant fundingNew Zealand and Viet Nam Strengthen Bilateral Trade and Agricultural Cooperation
13 Aug 2026 | 4 weeks ago | 323 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 relationsEPA Cuts Wait Times for Hazardous Substances to Boost NZ Farmers' Access to Products
13 Aug 2026 | 4 weeks ago | 357 viewsFarmers and rural businesses in New Zealand are gaining faster access to essential crop protection products due to significant improvements in the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) hazardous substances assessment processes, which have halved application wait times since July 2024. The EPA completed a record number of assessments in 2025/26 and reduced the backlog by over a third, reflecting the Government's commitment to efficient regulatory processing while maintaining strong environmental safeguards. Additionally, reforms to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act are underway to further streamline application procedures and support innovation, with the Primary Production Select Committee expected to report on the amendments in September.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Environmental Protection Authority EPA Hazardous Substances New Organisms Act farmers growers Primary Production Select Committee New Zealand regulatory reformGovernment Seeks Feedback to Strengthen New Zealand’s Organic Sector Regulations
11 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 323 viewsThe Government, led by Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick, is seeking feedback on proposals to strengthen New Zealand’s organic sector through a modern regulatory framework, including a national organic mark and updated regulations. The organic sector is valued at $1.18 billion with significant exports, and the new Organic Products and Production Act 2023 aims to boost consumer confidence, business certainty, and international trade. Ongoing consultation with the organic community ensures the regulations support growth and reflect stakeholder input, with detailed proposals available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website.
Tags: Mike Butterick New Zealand Organic Products and Production Act 2023 Ministry for Primary Industries organic sector organic regulations organic exports government consultation regional communities sustainable products