Articles tagged with Culture
New Zealand High Country Land Reforms Boost Farming, Jobs, and Regional Growth
2 weeks ago | 157 viewsThe New Zealand Government will introduce a Bill to amend the Crown Pastoral Land Act and Land Act, allowing high country farmers more flexibility to diversify activities on Crown pastoral land, including horticulture, hospitality, and renewable energy projects. These changes aim to boost economic productivity, create jobs, and increase returns for taxpayers while maintaining strong environmental protections and pastoral farming as the primary land use. The Bill also reduces administrative burdens, clarifies permitted activities, and provides a pathway for exceptional land use changes, supporting modern, productive farming businesses in the South Island.
Tags: Chris Penk James Meager Crown Pastoral Land Act high country farmers South Island horticulture renewable energy pastoral farming Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill New ZealandNew Rules Boost High Country Farmers: Economic Growth & Land Use Flexibility
2 weeks ago | 182 viewsThe New Zealand Government will introduce a Bill to amend the Crown Pastoral Land Act and Land Act, allowing high country farmers greater flexibility to diversify activities on Crown pastoral land, including horticulture, hospitality, and renewable energy projects. These changes aim to boost economic productivity, increase returns for taxpayers, support job creation, and strengthen regional economies while maintaining environmental protections and pastoral farming as the primary land use. The Bill also reduces administrative burdens, clarifies permitted activities, and establishes a process for exceptional land use changes, encouraging modern, productive farming businesses in the South Island.
Tags: Chris Penk James Meager Crown Pastoral Land Act South Island high country farmers horticulture renewable energy pastoral farming Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill New ZealandNew Zealand and Ireland Strengthen Partnership on Agricultural Climate Research
1 month ago | 240 viewsNew 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.
Tags: Todd McClay Noel Grealish New Zealand Ireland Agricultural Climate Research Joint Research Initiative Greenhouse Gas Emissions Ministry for Primary Industries Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Global Research AllianceRural Resilience Workshops Help Farmers Prepare for Emergencies Across NZ
1 month ago | 205 viewsAgriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced a series of rural resilience workshops starting next week to help farmers and growers prepare for adverse events following recent damaging floods. These practical workshops, held nationwide alongside a rural resilience roadshow on the West Coast, aim to enhance emergency preparedness in rural communities highly exposed to emergencies. Resources such as a farm emergency plan template and preparedness checklist are available on the Good Farm and MPI websites to support farmers.
Tags: Todd McClay Mark Patterson Agriculture and Forestry Minister Rural Communities Minister New Zealand Otago Blenheim Canterbury Ruapehu WaikatoNew Zealand and Chile Sign Strategic Agricultural Partnership for 2026-2030
1 month ago | 313 viewsNew Zealand and Chile have signed the Strategic Agricultural Arrangement 2026–2030 to enhance cooperation in agriculture, focusing on expertise exchange, sustainable development, research, innovation, and climate resilience. Both countries share similar farming systems and advocate for open, rules-based trade, aiming to strengthen their agricultural relationship and seize mutual opportunities. This agreement builds on 80 years of diplomatic ties and aims to boost economic returns for farmers and exporters in both nations.
Tags: New Zealand Chile Todd McClay Ignacia Fernández Agriculture Strategic Agricultural Arrangement trade sustainable development climate resilience diplomatic relationsGovernment Declares Medium-Scale Weather Event, Unlocks Support for Farmers
1 month ago | 355 viewsThe Government has classified recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury as medium-scale adverse events, unlocking additional support for affected farmers and growers. This support includes tax relief, Rural Assistance Payments, and activation of Enhanced Taskforce Green, with the Ministry for Primary Industries conducting on-farm assessments to identify those most in need. Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson urges farmers and growers to seek help through the Rural Support Trust for ongoing recovery efforts.
Tags: Todd McClay Mark Patterson Ministry of Social Development Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Support Trust Bay of Plenty Canterbury Enhanced Taskforce Green Agriculture MinisterGovernment Invests $2M in Central Otago’s Falls Dam Replacement Pre-Construction
1 month ago | 370 viewsThe Government is providing a $2 million loan through the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support pre-construction work on replacing the aging Falls Dam near St Bathans, vital for irrigating 8,000 hectares of Central Otago farmland. The funding will help Manuherikia River Limited assess regulatory, engineering, and financial aspects to ensure a secure and sustainable water supply for horticulture, viticulture, and farming. This project aims to enhance the region’s economic and climate resilience by delivering reliable irrigation and supporting higher-value land uses, with pre-construction expected to take about two years.
Tags: Mark Patterson Falls Dam Central Otago Manuherikia River Limited Regional Infrastructure Fund irrigation horticulture viticulture sheep farming water infrastructureNew Zealand Declared Free of Queensland Fruit Fly After Swift Biosecurity Response
1 month ago | 346 viewsNew Zealand has eradicated the Queensland fruit fly from Mt Roskill after a swift biosecurity response, with no further evidence found since a single male fly was detected in January. Biosecurity New Zealand lifted movement controls on fruit and vegetables, protecting the horticulture industry, which is projected to export $9.2 billion worth of produce by 2026. The success reflects a robust multi-layered biosecurity system and strong community cooperation, preventing significant damage to the sector.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Queensland fruit fly New Zealand Mt Roskill horticulture industry Kiwifruit biosecurity fruit fly eradication community cooperationAhuwhenua Trophy 2026 Finalists Celebrate Māori Excellence in Agriculture and Horticulture
1 month ago | 439 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka congratulated the finalists for the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy, which honors Māori excellence in farming and horticulture, highlighting their contribution to New Zealand’s economy and rural employment. The competition now includes horticulture, reflecting its 50% growth on Māori land since 2017, and recognizes the sector’s role in supporting Māori communities through jobs and reinvestment. Finalists will host field days for further judging, with the overall winner announced on 5 June in Whangārei.
Tags: Todd McClay Tama Potaka Ahuwhenua Trophy Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective Otama Marere Trust Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust Māori farmers horticulture New Zealand economy Māori DevelopmentEducation Minister Calls for Major Reforms in Teaching Council After Serious Reviews
1 month ago | 311 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford emphasizes the urgent need for major reforms within the Teaching Council following two serious external reviews revealing significant failures, particularly regarding child protection, leadership, and organizational culture. The reports highlight inadequate regulatory focus, misuse of fees, and lack of support for teachers, raising concerns about the capability of previous boards. In response, new board members have been appointed to restore governance and confidence, with a focus on ensuring child safety, supporting teachers, and rebuilding public trust.
Tags: Erica Stanford Teaching Council Education Minister child protection leadership regulatory standards teachers governance organisational culture board membersNew Zealand and Singapore Launch Digital Export Health Certification to Boost Trade
2 months ago | 292 viewsNew Zealand and Singapore have signed a new electronic certification arrangement to replace the paper-based system, enabling real-time digital exchange of export health certifications for food and primary products. This initiative aims to streamline border processes, reduce costs, enhance supply chain security, and accelerate market access, supporting trade growth between the two countries. The arrangement is part of their Joint Plan of Action under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and aligns with New Zealand’s goal to double export value within ten years.
Tags: New Zealand Singapore Todd McClay electronic certification export health certification trade agriculture food safety supply chain Comprehensive Strategic PartnershipAgriculture Minister Celebrates Record $4B Lamb Exports Ahead of National Lamb Day
2 months ago | 381 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay hosted a barbecue to celebrate National Lamb Day and the milestone of lamb exports exceeding $4 billion, highlighting the red meat sector's vital economic contribution to New Zealand. The government aims to boost the agriculture sector by cutting red tape, enhancing trade, and supporting farmers to help double export values within ten years. Key trade achievements include agreements with the UAE, Gulf Cooperation Council, and India, with ongoing efforts to remove trade barriers and expand market access.
Tags: Todd McClay Agriculture Minister National Lamb Day New Zealand red meat sector lamb exports NZ–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement India sheep and beef farmersGovernment Commits $28M for Hill Country Erosion Control to Protect Farmland
2 months ago | 425 viewsThe Government is investing nearly $28 million in the Hill Country Erosion Programme (HCEP) to support erosion control projects from 2027 to 2031, aiming to protect productive land and reduce environmental and economic impacts. The programme, established in 2007 and supported by multiple councils and landowners, focuses on treating vulnerable land, creating farm-scale erosion control plans, and building regional capability. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay emphasized the programme’s role in helping farmers prepare for severe weather and safeguarding soil health for future sustainability.
Tags: Todd McClay Hill Country Erosion Programme Agriculture and Forestry Minister Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service erosion control productive land soil health regional councils farmland protectionUpdated Public Sector Code of Conduct Enhances Integrity and Accountability
2 months ago | 380 viewsPublic Service Minister Judith Collins announced an updated Code of Conduct to enhance integrity, accountability, and professionalism across New Zealand's Public Sector. The new Code, based on public service values and informed by the 2025 Public Service Census, introduces standards on merit-based appointments, workplace culture, and respectful behavior, supported by mandatory training and election guidance. The Code will take effect in March 2026, with resources available on the Public Service Commission website and the Leadership Development Centre.
Tags: Judith Collins Public Sector Public Service Commission Code of Conduct Integrity Public Service Census Leadership Development Centre Workplace Culture General Election GuidanceGovernment Partners with NZ Young Farmers to Promote Safety and Leadership in Agriculture
2 months ago | 446 viewsThe New Zealand Government, through ACC, is partnering with NZ Young Farmers to sponsor the 2024 FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition, aiming to support and develop future leaders in the food and fibre sector. This collaboration emphasizes injury prevention, safety, and recovery in farming, addressing the high risk of agricultural injuries and the significant costs associated with them. By integrating ACC’s expertise, the competition promotes safe, sustainable farming careers while highlighting the skills, resilience, and leadership required in New Zealand’s vital agricultural industry.
Tags: New Zealand Nicola Grigg ACC NZ Young Farmers FMG Young Farmer of the Year agriculture farming safety injury prevention youth competition government investment