22 Oct 2026
2 days ago
61 views
A $2. 8 million investment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will help support the long-term resilience of the Northland oyster sector while backing economic opportunities for local communities, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Under-Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries Jenny Marcroft say. "Mahurangi oyster farms produce around a quarter of New Zealand's oysters but recurring closures due to water quality issues have disrupted harvests and put significant costs and stress on growers and the community," Mr Jones says.
14 Oct 2026
1 week ago
190 views
The Government has designated two Aquaculture Settlement Areas in Marlborough to enable iwi participation in the region’s expanding open ocean aquaculture industry while negotiations under the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act continue. These areas, totaling nearly 6,000 hectares, will support future marine farming projects subject to regulatory approval without affecting current fishing activities. The initiative aims to boost the local economy through export income, job creation, and sustainable seafood production, aligning with the broader goal of reaching $3 billion in annual aquaculture revenue by 2035.
09 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
347 views
Food and fibre exports from New Zealand reached a record $65.2 billion in the year to June 2026, driven by strong demand, tight global supply, and despite challenges like the Middle East conflict and trade disruptions. Key sectors saw significant growth, including dairy exports up 6%, meat and wool up 20%, and horticulture up 5%, with notable export increases to the EU, UAE, and India following new trade agreements. The government is supporting this growth through trade deals, resource management reforms, and investments in technology to boost productivity, reduce emissions, and enhance farmgate returns.
08 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
226 views
The New Zealand Government, led by Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard, is seeking public feedback on proposed rules to prevent dogs from being confined in cages or kennels for excessively long periods, which can cause anxiety, fear, and aggression. The proposals would allow Animal Welfare Inspectors to issue $500 fines to owners if dogs show two or more signs of prolonged confinement harm, while clarifying that normal short-term confinement, such as kennelling at night or during farm work, remains acceptable. Consultation on these rules, including views on dog breeding and commercial services, opens from 12 October to 23 November 2026.
01 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
275 views
The Government is updating the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan with industry-driven improvements to better identify and contain the disease affecting honeybee larvae. These changes include enhanced colony identification, improved reporting, and stronger compliance measures, while keeping costs and paperwork minimal for beekeepers. The updates aim to protect New Zealand's $426 million apiculture sector and support pollination services vital to the primary industry.
01 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
290 views
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden launched two new Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) to guide the agriculture sector in meeting health and safety responsibilities ahead of amendments to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, effective 1 April 2027. The ACOPs, focusing on roles and responsibilities in agriculture and safe farm vehicle operation, provide practical, sector-specific guidance to clarify duties, manage risks, and support better safety outcomes without creating new legal obligations. Following their introduction, these ACOPs may gain safe-harbour status, offering businesses a recognized standard for compliance, with WorkSafe supporting their implementation across New Zealand farms.
28 Aug 2026
1 month ago
485 views
The 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.
24 Aug 2026
2 months ago
593 views
Food 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.
20 Aug 2026
2 months ago
509 views
The 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.
19 Aug 2026
2 months ago
614 views
Legislation 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.
19 Aug 2026
2 months ago
600 views
The 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.
19 Aug 2026
2 months ago
579 views
The 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.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
605 views
New 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.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
587 views
Prime 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.
10 Aug 2026
2 months ago
574 views
The 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.