Articles tagged with Primary Sector

Government and Industry Partner to Boost New Zealand Strong Wool Value with Innovative Products

1 week ago | 126 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.

Tags: Todd McClay Mark Patterson Wool Source Manufacturing Limited New Zealand strong wool Primary Sector Growth Fund Christchurch bioplastics 3D printing Agriculture Minister

Greater Land Use Flexibility Empowers Māori Farmers for Productivity and Sustainability

1 week ago | 106 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.

Tags: Todd McClay Tama Potaka whenua Māori land use flexibility Māori landowners Agriculture Minister Māori Development Minister Te Arawa Primary Sector farming systems New Zealand agriculture

New Rural Scholarship Empowers Future Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry

1 week ago | 138 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.

Tags: Todd McClay Government rural scholarship primary sector Agriculture Forestry young farmers leadership development Ministry for Primary Industries

NZ Government Amends Hazardous Substances Act to Boost Agri-Product Access

1 month ago | 249 views

The Government is amending the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act to accelerate access to new agricultural and horticultural products, enabling New Zealand farmers to more easily obtain overseas-available pest control and crop protection solutions. The changes, based on a 2024 Ministry for Regulation review, aim to streamline approval processes by reducing complexity, costs, and duplication through greater reliance on overseas regulatory assessments while maintaining local protections. These amendments will enhance regulatory efficiency, support the primary sector's global competitiveness, and uphold environmental and public safety standards.

Tags: Nicola Grigg Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act Ministry for Regulation Environmental Protection Authority New Zealand farmers agrichemical companies crop protection regulatory pathways invasive species primary sector

New Pathway Speeds Up Agri-Chemical and Vet Medicine Registration NZ & Australia

2 months ago | 365 views

The New Zealand Government has introduced a pilot program allowing agri-chemical and veterinary medicine companies to register products in both New Zealand and Australia through a single process, reducing duplication. This streamlined approach maintains safety and effectiveness standards while accelerating approvals, benefiting farmers and veterinarians by providing faster access to new products. The initiative follows a bilateral agreement aimed at enhancing primary sector access to agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines in both countries.

Tags: New Zealand Australia Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister veterinary medicine agricultural chemicals pilot program product registration primary sector

32 Graduate Veterinarians Start Rural Careers in New Zealand Through Govt Scheme

6 months ago | 850 views

Thirty-two graduate veterinarians will start their careers in rural New Zealand through the Government’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians, receiving $55,000 over five years to work in 26 communities focused on production animals and working dogs. The scheme aims to address the rural vet shortage, support animal health, and promote primary sector growth by placing vets in diverse, close-knit rural areas. Since its launch in 2009, the scheme has supported 516 recipients, with the latest group distributed across regions including Waikato, Canterbury, Otago, and others.

Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Voluntary Bonding Scheme Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand rural veterinarians agriculture veterinary graduates animal health primary sector

New Zealand's RMA Amendment Bill: Driving Economic Growth and Removing Red Tape for Progress

10 months ago | 1140 views

The Government's second RMA Amendment Bill has passed into law, aiming to drive economic growth and job creation by removing roadblocks and cutting red tape in various sectors, such as infrastructure, housing, farming, and emergency management. The Bill introduces changes to streamline consent processes for renewable energy, boost housing supply, and reduce red tape for the primary sector. It is part of a broader three-phase RMA reform program, with the full replacement for the RMA expected to be in effect by 2027.

Tags: RMA Amendment Bill Chris Bishop infrastructure renewable energy housing farming primary sector emergency natural hazards Resource Management system

Government Acts to Streamline Planning Process in Anticipation of New System

11 months ago | 1434 views

The Government, led by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, is implementing reforms to simplify New Zealand's planning system and speed up project approvals. These changes include amendments to the RMA, fast-track approval processes, and upcoming legislation to replace the RMA with two new Acts focusing on land-use planning and the natural environment. To ease the transition, councils will be relieved of mandatory plan reviews and changes, with exemptions for certain critical areas like natural hazard management and Treaty settlement agreements. Additionally, councils can seek exemptions to continue work aligned with government priorities such as housing and urban development.

Tags: Government councils officers RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop planning system New Zealand primary sector renewable energy housing supply

Innovative Investment Boosts New Zealand's King Salmon Feed Development for Export Growth

11 months ago | 2636 views

The Government is backing innovation to grow New Zealand’s high-value aquaculture exports, with a $455,000 investment from the new Primary Sector Growth Fund to support the development of specialised feed for King salmon, Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced today. The $1. 2 million project—led by global aquafeed company Skretting—will design feed tailored specifically for New Zealand’s King salmon, supporting the growth of open ocean farming and helping reduce costs for local producers.

Tags: Government innovation aquaculture exports investment Primary Sector Growth Fund Todd McClay agriculture trade King salmon