09 Jul 2026
4 months ago
710 views
The 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.
04 Jul 2026
4 months ago
857 views
The 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.
01 Jul 2026
4 months ago
1077 views
The New Zealand government is funding a $4.5 million loan to establish a mussel spat nursery in Houhora Bay, Northland, aiming to stabilize and increase spat supply for the Greenshell mussel industry. The Te Hiku Aquaculture Mussel Spat Project, led by four iwi groups and co-funded with $1.3 million, will develop up to 150 mussel lines to improve spat survival and support nationwide mussel farming. This initiative aligns with the government’s Aquaculture Development Plan to grow the industry to $3 billion annually by 2035 and is progressing through the Fast-track consent process before funding is released.
25 Jun 2026
4 months ago
943 views
The speech highlights the National-led Government’s commitment to supporting New Zealand’s primary industries through regulatory reform, trade expansion, and investment in innovation and leadership development. It emphasizes the sector’s strong export growth, environmental initiatives like farmer-led catchment groups, and new policies such as Land Use Flexibility to boost productivity while maintaining sustainability. The Government aims to ensure a resilient, profitable, and globally competitive agricultural sector that underpins rural communities and national prosperity.
12 Jun 2026
5 months ago
1038 views
The Government is supporting NZ Young Farmers by providing $60,000 in one-off grants to 60 clubs and $585,000 through the Rural Wellbeing Fund to enhance physical, mental, and financial wellbeing initiatives. NZ Young Farmers, a non-profit with a century-long history, helps young rural people develop leadership skills, network, and support their communities. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasized the importance of these efforts in sustaining rural communities and the primary industries vital to the economy.
12 Jun 2026
5 months ago
1105 views
The Government and forestry sector are partnering to create the ‘NZ Pine’ brand, establishing New Zealand as a premium, trusted supplier of sustainably sourced radiata pine wood products. This brand, backed by a government-administered standard, will provide transparency and assurance about product origin and environmental responsibility, enhancing global market confidence. Launching in early 2027, NZ Pine aims to strengthen export earnings and support New Zealand’s goal of doubling export value within ten years.
11 Jun 2026
5 months ago
1059 views
The New Zealand Government and industry are partnering to transform strong wool into high-value products like inks, 3D printing materials, and bioplastics through an $8 million contribution to a $20 million project led by Wool Source Manufacturing Limited. The initiative will establish a large-scale manufacturing facility in Christchurch to produce wool-derived particles and powders for global markets worth over $50 billion, promoting sustainable, renewable alternatives to fossil fuel-based materials. This project aims to increase farmgate returns, support rural communities, and redirect up to 20% of the strong wool clip into premium applications, enhancing the sector's resilience and sustainability.
11 Jun 2026
5 months ago
919 views
The Government is supporting farmers by expanding rural catchment groups and providing $40.5 million in funding over four years to improve land management and water quality across New Zealand. There are currently 51 groups, with 17 regional collectives being funded to enhance coordination and coverage, while efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and modernize resource management continue. Agriculture Ministers Todd McClay and Mike Butterick emphasize the success of these groups in delivering environmental benefits and sustaining high-quality, sustainable food production.
11 Jun 2026
5 months ago
1297 views
New Zealand’s food and fibre sector is driving strong economic growth, with exports forecast to reach a record $64.3 billion by June 2026 and $70.1 billion by 2030, supported by high demand for dairy, red meat, and horticulture products. The government, led by Minister Todd McClay, is committed to backing farmers through trade expansion, reducing barriers, and implementing reforms in freshwater, resource management, and agricultural emissions. This support aims to boost rural communities, create jobs, and help achieve the goal of doubling export value within ten years.
10 Jun 2026
5 months ago
880 views
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka emphasize that greater land use flexibility enables whenua Māori landowners to enhance productivity and environmental outcomes. The Government is investing $2.6 million in a project with Te Arawa Primary Sector Incorporated to help Māori landowners optimize farm production, increase profitability by 10-30%, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5-25%. This initiative aims to support farmers and growers through regulatory reform, innovation, and data sharing, strengthening New Zealand's primary industries and rural communities.
10 Jun 2026
5 months ago
1094 views
The New Zealand Government, led by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, is investing $3.2 million in a project to develop prefabricated mass timber modules, aiming to boost forestry sector innovation, onshore processing, and job creation. This initiative supports land use flexibility, sustainable productivity, and shifting supply from export to domestic markets, enhancing value and stability for regional economies. The project will assess technical, economic, and environmental factors to encourage long-term investment and provide data to help farmers and growers innovate and grow their businesses.
10 Jun 2026
5 months ago
989 views
The New Zealand Government is enhancing the horticulture sector by providing greater land use flexibility and investing $19.14 million in a five-year project to boost kiwifruit orchard productivity, quality, and environmental sustainability. This initiative, supported by Zespri and New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, aims to increase kiwifruit export sales to $7.9 billion by 2035/36 and generate an economic impact of $15.8 billion. By reducing regulatory burdens and leveraging science and technology, the Government seeks to support farmers and growers, strengthen regional economies, and ensure a productive, sustainable primary industry sector.
10 Jun 2026
5 months ago
983 views
The New Zealand Government is enhancing agricultural land use flexibility to promote innovation, sustainable productivity, and a reduced environmental footprint, supporting over 257,000 workers and contributing $52 billion in exports. It is investing in multi-million-dollar projects to boost beef, sheep, and dairy production with improved environmental outcomes, including reducing nitrogen leaching and increasing pasture utilization and feed efficiency. These initiatives aim to back farmers with regulatory reforms, science, and technology to ensure profitable, sustainable growth that benefits regional economies and rural communities.
10 Jun 2026
5 months ago
854 views
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasize that New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, which accounts for over 80% of exports, requires increased productivity through innovation and greater land use flexibility. The Government is investing $143 million in six commercial projects across various sectors, partnering with industry to demonstrate how science, technology, and regulatory reform can drive growth while reducing environmental impact. A report from Lincoln University and ASB Bank projects that adopting these innovations and flexible land use could boost the economy by $10 billion within five to seven years.
10 Jun 2026
5 months ago
1009 views
The Government and industry have jointly launched the AgriZeroNZ Early Adoption Accelerator, contributing up to $51 million each to support the rollout of innovative farm technologies that enhance New Zealand farmers' competitiveness and emissions efficiency. This co-funded program focuses on practical, scalable solutions, building on prior investments in emissions-reducing research, with tools like EcoPond already available and more technologies expected soon. AgriZeroNZ invites companies and industry groups to participate in projects over the next three years, aiming to provide farmers with diverse technology choices tailored to their operations.