Articles tagged with Agriculture
Ministers Call for Pragmatic Consent Approach from Councils for Rural Growth
6 days ago | 83 viewsThe Ministers for RMA Reform, Agriculture, and the Environment have urged Regional and Unitary Councils to be pragmatic in issuing consents before the new planning system transition. They emphasize the importance of supporting rural producers and unlocking economic growth by being flexible in the consent process. The Government expects councils to exercise discretion, smooth the transition into the new system, and align their behavior to support the future planning system.
Tags: Minister for RMA Reform Minister of Agriculture Minister for the Environment Mr Bishop Mr McClay Ms Simmonds councils consents farmers planning systemNew Zealand Government Passes Bill to Protect Farmland and Forestry in Climate Change Response
2 weeks ago | 142 viewsThe Government passed the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill to prevent wholesale conversion of farmland to pine forests, aiming to balance food production and Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) confidence. Key changes include limits on exotic forestry registrations for productive farmland, flexibility for farmers to convert up to 25% of land to forestry, and provisions for Māori-owned land. The Bill aims to support rural economies, create jobs, and ensure ETS credibility, with a review planned for 2028 to assess effectiveness.
Tags: Todd McClay Simon Watts Government Climate Change Response Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions Agriculture Forestry New Zealand Land UseNew Zealand Boosts AI Research with $70M Investment: Dr. Shane Reti Leads Innovation Drive
2 weeks ago | 123 viewsDr Shane Reti, the Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister, announced a $70 million investment in AI research to enhance New Zealand's AI capabilities, accelerate commercialization, and stimulate economic growth. The investment will be made over seven years through the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology to support innovative AI research, develop expertise, and boost competitiveness. Dr. Reti emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities in AI, citing successful collaborations that have shown potential for significant healthcare savings and revenue generation.
Tags: Science Innovation Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti AI research New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology economic growth precision health agriculture Auckland Bioengineering InstituteNew Zealand and Saudi Arabia Forge $100 Million Trade Partnerships
3 weeks ago | 145 viewsMinister Todd McClay announced five new commercial partnerships between New Zealand and Saudi Arabian companies during a Trade and Investment mission in Riyadh, expecting over $100 million in commercial value. The partnerships aim to deepen trade relations, boost exports, and align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for premium solutions. Examples include collaborations in nutrition products, fruit production, animal management, and creative industries like design and construction.
Tags: Todd McClay Trade Investment Agriculture New Zealand Saudi Arabia Partnerships Commercial Exporters Vision 2030New Zealand Trade Mission to Riyadh: Strengthening Ties with Saudi Arabia
3 weeks ago | 236 viewsMinister Todd McClay will lead a delegation of 21 New Zealand businesses to Riyadh to enhance trade ties with Saudi Arabia, aiming to tap into the country's significant economic potential outlined in its Vision 2030 strategy. The mission will spotlight New Zealand's strengths in food, agriculture, technology, and creative sectors, aligning with the government's goal to double export value in a decade and support Saudi Arabia's development objectives. With Saudi Arabia already a key export market for New Zealand, bilateral trade has seen substantial growth, reaching $1.58 billion, showcasing the mutual benefits of the partnership.
Tags: Todd McClay Trade Investment Agriculture New Zealand Saudi Arabia Business Delegation Export Food Security DevelopmentNew Zealand–UAE Trade Agreement Brings Major Benefits and Opportunities
1 month ago | 272 viewsThe New Zealand–United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has come into effect, offering significant tariff savings and market access for Kiwi exporters. Key goods like dairy, red meat, and fruit will now enter the UAE duty-free, with the agreement aiming to enhance trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. The CEPA also paves the way for increased bilateral trade, job creation, and economic growth, aligning with New Zealand's export expansion goals.
Tags: New Zealand United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Todd McClay Agriculture Trade Investment Minister CEPA Kiwi exporters tariff savingsMinister McClay Addresses US Tariffs: Impact on Kiwi Exporters & Strategies for Strengthening Trade
1 month ago | 254 viewsMinister Todd McClay met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in Washington to address New Zealand's concerns about US tariffs disadvantaging Kiwi exporters compared to other countries. Ambassador Greer acknowledged New Zealand's low tariffs on US goods and explained the recent 5 per cent tariff increase in relation to trade surplus, setting a new minimum tariff rate of 15 per cent for surplus countries. Discussions also included product-specific trade investigations and plans for trade officials to meet to assess tariff impacts and enhance exporter certainty, with future meetings scheduled during ASEAN Trade Ministers' Meeting and APEC Leaders' Summit to strengthen trade relations and combat harmful trade practices affecting dairy industries in both countries.
Tags: Agriculture Trade Investment Minister Todd McClay US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins New Zealand tariffs Kiwi exporters steel aluminiumNew Law Streamlines Freshwater Farm Plans for NZ Farmers
1 month ago | 241 viewsThe Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act, passed into law, has improved the freshwater farm plan system to make it more workable and affordable for farmers, reducing duplication and costs by allowing industry organisations to certify and audit plans. This change recognizes good work done by farmers and industry groups in managing risks, focusing on actual on-farm risks and practical actions to reduce them. The Act increases the minimum farm size requiring a freshwater farm plan to 50 hectares for certain land uses, removing the requirement for around 8,000 smaller, lower-risk farms, supporting environmental stewardship and growth in the primary sector.
Tags: Government freshwater farm plan system Resource Management Act Agriculture Minister Todd McClay Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard industry organisations farm plans environmental stewardship growth RMA.Minister Todd McClay to Strengthen Trade Relations in Saudi Arabia and US
1 month ago | 247 viewsAgriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United States to discuss bilateral trade and investment opportunities, particularly in food and agritech cooperation. In Saudi Arabia, he will meet with Minister of Commerce and Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture to advance these opportunities and leverage the New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement. In the US, Mr McClay will meet with USTR Jamieson Greer and industry representatives to discuss the impact of recent tariffs and broader bilateral trade, investment, and agricultural priorities.
Tags: Agriculture Trade Investment Todd McClay Saudi Arabia United States Jamieson Greer Brooke RollinsGovernment Acts to Prevent 'Stop Work' Order for NZ Farmers: RMA Reform Bill Update
1 month ago | 238 viewsThe Government has intervened to prevent potential stop work notices for thousands of New Zealand farmers due to water discharge rules under the RMA, affecting 2,800 Waikato farms. Various regional councils raised concerns, leading to amendments broadening permitted water discharges in the Resource Management Amendment Bill. The changes aim to support farmers, ensure water quality improvement, and avoid hindering economic recovery, with the bill set to pass into law soon.
Tags: Chris Bishop Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Government New Zealand farmers RMA Reform Minister Agriculture Minister Associate Environment Minister Waikato Regional Council Resource Management Amendment BillNew Zealand's Updated Deer Welfare Code: Balancing Protection and Practicality
1 month ago | 441 viewsAssociate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard has announced the release of a revised Code of Welfare for Deer, emphasizing the importance of balancing animal protection with practicality and economic considerations for farmers. The code, the first of the priority pastoral livestock codes to be finalized, aims to uphold New Zealand's strong reputation for animal welfare standards while ensuring that regulations are practical and proportionate. Developed in consultation with the deer industry, the code sets clear welfare standards and guidelines for farmers to follow, promoting high standards of animal handling and care.
Tags: welfare deer agriculture Andrew Hoggard animal welfare NAWAC industry farming standards careNew Zealand and Indonesia Sign Agricultural Cooperation Agreement for Trade Growth
2 months ago | 458 viewsNew Zealand's Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Investment Todd McClay and Indonesia's Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman signed a new bilateral arrangement in Jakarta to enhance agricultural cooperation and trade opportunities. The agreement focuses on livestock development, smart agriculture, biosecurity, agricultural research, and streamlined trade processes. Both countries will establish a Consultative Forum to coordinate future cooperation and align efforts on technical standards, certification, and regulatory requirements, aiming to boost exports and investment in agriculture.
Tags: Todd McClay Andi Amran Sulaiman agriculture trade investment cooperation bilateral arrangement Indonesia New Zealand partnershipNew Zealand to Boost Economy and Jobs by Expanding Access to Conservation Areas
2 months ago | 564 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced plans to stimulate economic growth on a third of New Zealand's land, aiming to create jobs and boost wages nationwide. They highlighted issues with the current concessions regime for businesses operating on conservation land, proposing to reform the Conservation Act to streamline processes and introduce charges for foreign visitors at popular sites. The revenue generated from these charges, estimated at up to $62 million annually, will be reinvested in maintaining and enhancing conservation areas, while ensuring free access for New Zealanders.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Tama Potaka New Zealand Conservation Act Department of Conservation National Party Conference tourism agriculture infrastructure concessionsPrepare for Adverse Weather: Urgent Message from Agriculture Minister Todd McClay
2 months ago | 494 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay is urging farmers, foresters, and growers in the Top of the South, Bay of Plenty, and parts of Northland to prepare for adverse weather conditions, with orange rain warnings issued for these regions due to significant rainfall expected. MPI staff are on standby to assist, with additional support deployed in affected areas, such as the Top of the South and the Bay of Plenty. Farmers are advised to relocate stock to higher ground in preparation for the storm, and are encouraged to stay updated on weather warnings for further guidance.
Tags: Todd McClay Agriculture Minister farmers foresters growers adverse weather MPI staff rural communities weather warnings surface floodingNew Zealand Farmers' Confidence Soars: Leading the Charge to Double Export Value
2 months ago | 1095 viewsFarmer confidence in New Zealand has reached an eight-year high, indicating the resilience of the sector and progress towards doubling export value. The shift in sentiment is evident from the latest Federated Farmers Confidence Survey, showing a significant increase in confidence levels. This positive trend is attributed to the hard work of rural New Zealanders and government support, with key improvements in profitability, productivity, and mental health reported.
Tags: Farmer confidence Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay New Zealand export value Federated Farmers Confidence Survey rural New Zealanders Labour government profitability mental health