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A frighteningly long time ago, I subscribed to a weekly newsletter that provided updates on the latest science and innovations in the food safety space. One issue reported new research confirming the potential exposure risk of Campylobacter from raw eggs as 1 in 20,000. Given how dangerous I thought raw eggs were at the time, the information was a revelation. My immediate reaction was, “I’d have to eat 20,000 eggs before I got sick, therefore eggs are safe.” Then my boss said

As the financial year draws to a close, now is often the time to revisit that to-do list and those jobs you’ve been putting off all year start getting another look. Whether it’s a tractor that has become increasingly temperamental, a set of yards that have seen better days, or a project that’s been sitting on the wish list for months, the question is often the same: should I repair what I already own, or replace it altogether? The Investment Boost has added another layer to

The mornings are slow to lighten. The grass slows. Trees stand bare against grey skies. The ground is heavier underfoot, and evenings draw us indoors earlier. Across many dairy farms, cows are dry and calf sheds are empty between seasons. Elsewhere, there are wintering animals arriving, stock to feed and mud to manage. But winter carries a different rhythm. The natural world does not apologise for this. It contracts and gathers itself before the next burst of growth. Paddocks

There is a concept in leadership that most people need to “see to be.” Before we can imagine ourselves in certain spaces, we often need to see someone else stand there first. For me, that moment was spring 1999. I was a university commerce student in Wellington when Theresa Gattung became chief executive of Telecom. At the time, Telecom was one of the largest companies in New Zealand. Suddenly, a woman was visible at the head of corporate New Zealand. I remember thinking, if

“Can’t you just make it work?” are familiar words my colleagues across NZ will be all too used to hearing. As rural accountants, we understand that the numbers aren’t the reason you get out of bed each day, and when you dreamt about farming growing up, we doubt you pictured yourself sitting at a computer trying to sort your annual accounts & taxes. However, the software and systems available today mean shoeboxes filled with faded receipts are no longer the standard in terms o

I had the great pleasure of seeing Split Enz in all their quirky glory on May 4. There was something deeply inspiring about watching a group of 70-year-olds prancing around in flamboyant suits, playing the spoons and hammering piano keys with chaotic enthusiasm. Their complete indifference to what anyone else thinks produces music that is brilliantly creative, slightly unhinged, and timeless — as the audience’s replacement hips could attest. What struck me most was the contra

A wise man (Ben Harper) once said, “there’s good deeds and there’s good intentions, and they’re as far apart as heaven and hell.” The news that Wattie’s and McCain’s are shutting down New Zealand manufacturing due to high energy, labour and environmental costs feels like a case study in exactly that gap. Good intentions, uncomfortable outcomes. New Zealanders, and our governments, expect farmers and factories to produce food with high environmental standards, strong labour pr

I’m not sure you noticed, but a large grocery retailer recently announced they will start supplying US butter for $6.99. This is not good news for NZ dairy. In an election year, New Zealanders will be wondering why we can import butter cheaper than we can make it ourselves, and the questions won’t stop there. That $10 Kiwi butter sits on the shelf right alongside news of the dairy industry windfall courtesy of Fonterra’s capital payout. Meanwhile, Kiwis will cast their votes

It feels like life is geared these days to be frictionless. Thanks to advances in technology and AI, almost everything we need is at our fingertips — from grocery shopping and workouts to TV shows and music. We can stream what we want, when we want. We rarely have to wait for anything. And AI is only speeding that up. While technology and AI are making their way into farming, the work itself is still hard yakka. But outside the farm gate, life is becoming increasingly automat

Each issue we ask a farmer five quick questions about agriculture, and what farming means to them. Today we chat to Sefton farmer and owner of The Good Cow Tammy Acton-Adams. 1. What did your journey into farming look like? I grew up on a small farm on the other side of Sefton that was very diverse. Between leaving school and when my secretary course started, I joined a shearing gang for the summer. Oh, how I wanted to stay doing that! But was told I had to do the c

Storytelling has been in my bones for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was seven, I’ve wanted to write. When I was 15, my father bought me my first proper camera - a second-hand Olympus 35mm that I treasured and still have today. I’d wander around our farm taking photos, jotting down every camera setting in a notebook so I could figure out what worked and what didn’t. Agriculture has always been my anchor. I have the deepest respect for the people who work the land a

A few years ago, I decided to get some chickens to help tidy up the vege garden over winter. The last thing I wanted was for some of my former colleagues to come knocking on my door, so I spent a few hours digging through district plans knowing the rules can be very different depending on whether you’re in Christchurch, Rolleston, or Ashburton. Simplifying planning makes sense. Provided everyone follows the rules and is considerate. But there’s always that ONE person who sets

My social media is overflowing with Elf-on-the-Shelf antics, Silver Bells echoing through every mall, and the supermarket looks like Santa threw up. Christmas is definitely on its way. With the holiday season comes the annual rush: “Let’s get this done before Christmas!” and “Before you head off for the holidays, could you just… [insert task that could probably wait until January].” Even governments aren’t immune, scrambling to release documents for public consultation befor

We ask a farmer five quick questions about agriculture and what farming means to them. Today we chat to Southland dairy farmer Gregor Ramsay. 1.What did your journey into farming look like? I grew up in a very rural village in Scotland. My mum is a teacher, and my dad was part of his family’s engineering business. My older brother and I loved farming however and found jobs on local farms from a very young age. I worked during weekends and holidays on a beautiful little fami

There’s something wonderfully imperfect about a rural Christmas. It never unfolds with the polished ease of a magazine spread - and that’s precisely what makes it special. While the rest of the country might be worrying about table settings or matching serviettes, our version tends be a bit messy, a bit loud and very kiwi. It’s kids racing around on motorbikes, the smell of sunscreen and silage mingling in the heat, dogs circling the ham with tactical precision, and someone r

As the year winds down, it’s worth taking stock of what’s gone right for New Zealand farmers. Strong returns for our meat and dairy show the world wants quality protein – produced with good grass-fed practices, high animal welfare standards, and environmental care. With those boosted export prices, farmers have been able to re-invest in their businesses, retire debt and maybe take on an extra team member or two – all good news for the New Zealand economy. I do acknowledge

As we head into the festive season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year that’s been and share my heartfelt thanks to all our farmers and rural communities across New Zealand. This year hasn’t been without its challenges, but your hard work, resilience, and ingenuity have kept our primary sector strong and thriving. You are the backbone of our economy and the heart of so many communities, and I’m incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved. From dealing with unpredic

When we launched our South Island Country Pub of the Year competition last month in association with Service Foods, it was about far more than just finding the best place for a cold one or a good feed. Country pubs are an integral part of rural communities. They are unassuming, unsung, and quintessentially Kiwi. We wanted to highlight that. While only one pub could take out the top spot in our South Island Country Pub of the Year Competition, every single one nominated is a w

When I think of the women who shaped New Zealand’s rural story, I often come back to Jane Deans. In the 1850s she found herself widowed, with a young child and a farm to manage in a new country with the barest of resources. Instead of retreating, she rose to the challenge. She kept Riccarton farm running, lobbied for schools and health services, and fought to protect Riccarton Bush – a stand of native forest that still exists today because of her determination. Jane’s story