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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