New Zealand’s economic recovery from COVID-19 continues to build momentum, with the Upgrade to New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China entering into force on 7 April 2022, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. Aotearoa New Zealand and China have now ratified the Upgrade Protocol and agreed the Entry into Force date, […]
Damien O'Connor
Regenerative agriculture research receives Government boost
The Government continues to invest in farm sustainability, this time backing two new research projects to investigate the impacts of regenerative farming practices, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. Soil health and regenerative agriculture “We’re contributing $2.8 million to a $3.85 million five-year project with co-investment by Synlait Milk and Danone that aims to understand […]
Graduate vets receive MPI funding to work in rural areas
Thirty-four graduate vets are being placed in rural areas, from Kaitaia in the far North to Gore in Southland, through the Government’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians (VBS) Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. The successful recipients will each receive funding of $55,000 over five years, in a bid to help ease […]
Government backs rural driver licensing support programme
From the Minister for Rural Communities – Damien O’Connor The Government has committed an extra $600,000 in funding to support driver licensing and education programmes in rural communities across Aotearoa, Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. The funding, provided by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), will be spread over three years to boost […]
‘Humble’ onion to undergo extreme makeover
The ‘humble’ onion is about to undergo an extreme makeover, with the Government investing $2.83 million in a programme to enhance the competitive advantage of New Zealand’s onion industry, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. Onions New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund will jointly invest $6.02 […]
Primary sector returns strengthen export-led recovery
Farmers’ hard work in leading New Zealand’s export-led recovery from COVID-19 is being rewarded with high prices forecast for milk and very strong returns for meat, says Trade and Export Growth and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. Fonterra announced today a record predicted milk price of $7.90 to $8.90 for the coming season. The mid-point of […]
#Bringthemhome
It’s time for a good old-fashioned letter writing campaign. I am not a psychologist or a therapist, but my skills at helping others when they are at near breaking-point have been getting a good work out lately. I take a call every day from someone who is desperately trying to figure out how they can […]
Trade Minister to travel to UK and EU to progress free trade agreements
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor announced today he will travel to the United Kingdom and European Union next month to progress New Zealand’s respective free trade agreement negotiations. The decision to travel to Europe follows the agreement reached last week between Minister O’Connor and UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, to […]
DCANZ supports accelerated negotiation of a deal that removes all tariffs
The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) welcomes the commitment of New Zealand Trade Minister Damien O’Connor to securing a trade deal with the UK which comprehensively removes agricultural tariffs. Minister O’Connor and UK Trade Minister Truss have announced a move to accelerate the pace of negotiations. DCANZ considers that the ball is in […]
Awards celebrate the food and fibre sector employer excellence
Exceptional employment practices in the primary industries have been celebrated at the Good Employer Awards, held at Parliament on Monday evening, 12th April. “Tonight’s awards provided the opportunity to celebrate and thank those employers in the food and fibres sector who have gone beyond business-as-usual in creating productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work environments for […]