11 Jun 2026
4 months ago
951 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
4 months ago
868 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.
10 Jun 2026
4 months ago
805 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
4 months ago
1016 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
4 months ago
890 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
4 months ago
914 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
4 months ago
782 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
4 months ago
925 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.
10 Jun 2026
4 months ago
844 views
The Government has launched three initiatives totaling $260,000 to enhance the preparedness and resilience of rural communities through strengthening Rural Advisory Groups, supporting Taskforce Kiwi volunteers, and developing rural leadership skills. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson emphasized the importance of proactive investment in capacity-building to help rural areas effectively respond to and recover from adverse events. These efforts aim to support farmers, protect food supplies, and foster stronger, well-prepared rural communities before crises occur.
10 Jun 2026
4 months ago
867 views
The Government has introduced the Minister of Agriculture Future Leaders Scholarship to support emerging leaders in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry by providing three $10,000 grants annually for study and capability building. The program aims to develop governance skills and practical experience in rural primary sector leadership, addressing capability gaps through collaboration with sector leaders. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasizes the scholarship's role in nurturing leadership and sustaining the sector's long-term success.
29 May 2026
4 months ago
1031 views
Budget 2026 allocates $4.77 billion over four years to support New Zealand's primary sector, focusing on boosting productivity, improving land management, and enhancing resilience. Key investments include funding to combat wilding pines, reduce agricultural emissions, and support farmer-led initiatives, aiming to sustain the food and fibre sector, the country's largest export earner. The government emphasizes efficient resource use, regulatory reform, market expansion, and environmental partnerships to ensure the sector’s sustainable growth and economic contribution.
29 May 2026
4 months ago
935 views
The Government is supporting Hawke’s Bay growers in exploring a farmer-led purchase of McCain Foods’ vegetable processing site in Hastings by committing $50,000 for a feasibility study. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has engaged with local stakeholders and directed officials from the Ministry for Primary Industries to gather information and provide ongoing support. The Government aims to assist the more than 100 affected growers and their communities during this challenging time.
19 May 2026
5 months ago
1027 views
The Ministry for Primary Industries has released the terms of reference for a mandatory review of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) to evaluate whether its competition provisions regulating Fonterra remain necessary and effective. The review will consider if these provisions should be retained, repealed, or amended, with findings due to Parliament by June 1, 2027, and will include two rounds of stakeholder consultation. DIRA was originally established to support Fonterra’s creation and regulate its market activities beyond general competition laws to ensure efficient dairy market operations in New Zealand.
12 May 2026
5 months ago
1234 views
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced that Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick will oversee the organics sector, water security and storage, the arable sector, Māori agribusiness, and catchment groups. Butterick, a sheep and beef farmer from Wairarapa, brings practical farming experience and will support efforts to reduce red tape and boost productivity in rural communities. Meanwhile, McClay has taken on responsibility for horticulture matters, strengthening the government’s focus on New Zealand’s primary sector.
18 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1188 views
New Zealand and Ireland have signed a joint ministerial statement to advance agricultural climate research, building on a successful $34.5 million Joint Research Initiative launched in 2022. Both countries aim to develop tools that help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions without lowering production, focusing on pasture-based farming. Additionally, they launched the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases to enhance scientific research, collaboration, and resource mobilization worldwide.