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.
13 Jul 2026
3 months ago
833 views
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is visiting India to promote New Zealand's premium strong wool and strengthen trade relationships at Bharat Tex 2026, India's largest global textile expo. India is New Zealand's second largest wool market, with growing demand driven by sustainability trends and emerging innovative applications in various industries. The New Zealand government is investing over $65 million in 25 projects to support wool sector innovation, collaboration, and supply chain improvements.
12 Jun 2026
4 months ago
912 views
Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has announced the appointment of four new District Court Judges to fill vacancies in Dunedin, Timaru, and Auckland, with swearing-in dates between July and October 2026. The appointees—Maurice John Casey, Bryony Ann Millar, Tiffany Mary Cooper KC, and Erin Lee Woolley—bring extensive experience in family law, criminal defense, prosecution, and regulatory compliance. Each judge will be based at different courts, with Casey and Millar focusing on family and youth matters, Cooper specializing in criminal defense including sexual assault, and Woolley bringing expertise as a former coroner and criminal prosecutor.
11 Jun 2026
4 months ago
933 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.
28 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1584 views
The New Zealand Government and industry have established a $75,000 fund to support targeted training initiatives aimed at improving animal welfare and compliance in the shearing industry. This one-year pilot, administered by Wool Impact and delivered by Elite Wool Industry Training, includes workshops, online modules, and practical assessments for shearers and wool handlers. The initiative responds to recent sheep mistreatment allegations and aims to uphold New Zealand’s reputation for high animal welfare standards and protect international wool market access.
16 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1693 views
New Zealand’s food and fibre exports are projected to reach a record $62 billion by June 2026, driven by strong demand, favorable growing conditions, and diverse sectors including meat, wool, horticulture, forestry, and dairy. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay highlights government support through reforms, trade expansion, and sustainability initiatives, contributing to rising farmer confidence and economic recovery. The sector now accounts for 83% of all goods exports and employs one in seven New Zealanders, underscoring its vital role in the country’s economy and communities.
08 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1155 views
New Zealand’s strong wool sector has achieved a major milestone with its first export order for innovative wool particle products, secured by Wool Source for a Japanese personal care company. This success stems from a significant $8.72 million Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) program aimed at developing high-value wool products, including powders and pigments for cosmetics, paints, and inks. The government is actively promoting wool use domestically and internationally to boost returns for sheep farmers and support the sector’s growth.
26 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1203 views
The Christchurch City Council has been appointed as a one-stop consenting authority to streamline approvals for large-scale supermarket developments, reducing the need to navigate multiple councils and processes. This initiative aims to increase competition in a market dominated by Foodstuffs and Woolworths, encouraging new grocery businesses to enter and lower prices for consumers. The service focuses on standalone supermarket buildings over 500m² for non-regulated grocery retailers and complements faster consent processes like MultiProof to enable quicker supermarket construction.
17 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1169 views
The Government plans to significantly increase penalties for breaches of the Fair Trading Act, raising maximum fines to the greater of $5 million, three times the commercial gain, or the transaction value, to better deter misleading advertising and unfair business practices. The reforms will shift most breaches from criminal to civil liability, allowing the Commerce Commission to act on a lower standard of proof, while serious offenses remain criminal, aiming to create a fairer marketplace and protect consumers. These changes follow rising complaints and aim to align New Zealand’s laws with international standards, with legislation expected to pass next year after public consultation.
26 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2419 views
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis has written to the major supermarkets to restate the basic expectation that they take all steps needed to comply with the Fair Trading Act and ensure Kiwi shoppers are not subjected to misleading price claims. “Supermarkets have statutory obligations under the Fair Trading Act to ensure that pricing information is accurate and does not mislead consumers. “I am disappointed that I have to spell out to some of New Zealand’s biggest and most sophisticated retail operators - Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island, and Woolworths - that they should have in place processes to prevent inaccurate pricing, institute and publicise refund policies, and train staff to ensure that when errors are reported, fixes occur system-wide.