The Fast-track Approvals Bill could breach several of the legally binding commitments New Zealand has agreed to under its free trade agreements, according to the Environmental Defence Society.
DairyNZ has welcomed changes to the Resource Management Act Bill announced by the government, claiming they allow more fit-for-purpose solutions for dairy farmers.
Major food system stakeholders like Fonterra are shoulder-tapped by the government for interest in its new fast-track consent process.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin have agreed to upgrade the two countries’ current bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership by 2026.
A member’s bill to review Easter trading, lodged by ACT MP Cameron Luxton, has been drawn from the ballot.
Recommended changes to Australia’s Food and Grocery Code of Conduct bring it more in line with New Zealand’s new Grocery Code of Conduct.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay say an independent panel will review the country’s methane target.
A groundswell of public opposition to government cuts to the Healthy School Lunches Programme – Ka Ora, Ka Ako continues to grow, according to Health Coalition Aotearoa.
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate what it said were the ever-increasing profits of supermarket.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ Budget Policy Statement confirmed the government’s focus on tax reductions, public sector savings, and priority public service priority areas including health, education and law and order.
A cross-party commitment to science funding would prevent uncertainty and a loss of momentum in R&D in NZ, according to HVN Ko Ngā Kai Whai Painga chair Bob Major.
The fast-tracked implementation of New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with the European Union is a significant boost for Zespri and the kiwifruit industry, according to the exporter.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi’s members’ bill to remove GST from kai ran into opposition at its first reading yesterday.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi’s members’ bill to remove GST from kai had its frist reading yesterday.
Aotearoa’s education sector leaders have jointly written to the prime minister, urging him to continue investing in Ka ora Ka Ako, the Healthy School Lunches Programme, at current levels.
Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones has confirmed he was looking into the camera-on-vessels policy introduced by the former Labour government.
Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones has rejected attempts to “demonise his personality” because of the support his party received through donations, according to Seafood New Zealand.
Indonesia’s vice president, Ma’ruf Amin, will visit New Zealand next week, the first here by an Indonesian leader since 2018, according to deputy prime minister, Winston Peters.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and Member for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi’s members bill to remove GST from kai has been drawn from the ballot.
The government has accepted a petition for a values-based National Food Strategy.
Budget 2024 will be delivered on Thursday 30 May.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has confirmed that the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax will end on 30 June 2024.
The opportunity to boost New Zealand manufacturing productivity and growth has been laid out for small business minister Andrew Bayly.
Irregular promotions and pricing in the grocery sector is “small fry” compared with the anti-competitive regulations that support the current duopoly status, according to the Taxpayers’ Union
Trade Minister Todd McClay is to visit the World Trade Organization in Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.
After a challenging 2023, will the next 12 months bring any relief to the under-pressure food industry?
Vegetable growers from around the country are eager to learn more about the new government’s plans for the sector, according to Vegetables NZ chair, John Murphy.
The government is planning to scrap Fair Pay Agreements and extend the availability of 90-day trial periods to all employers by Christmas.
NZ joins more than 130 countries to sign the Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action.
Halting work on industry transformation plans is a top three priority for the new government, with the proposal second on the coalition’s 100-day plan.
The Labour Party has revealed its shadow cabinet tasked with holding the coalition government to account, with the Green Party also unveiling its opposition line-up.
The inclusion of hospitality alongside tourism in a government portfolio is deserved recognition of a $14bn sector, say industry groups.
The Natural Health Alliance welcomes the coalition government’s plan to repeal the Therapeutic Products Act 2023, which bundled food product compliance in with medicines and pharmaceuticals.
List MP Andrew Bayly becomes a key player in the effort to address competition concerns in NZ’s grocery sector.
Horticulture New Zealand is urging Prime Minister-elect Chris Luxon to appoint a minister of Horticulture to cabinet.
A post-election sentiment survey of Restaurant Association of New Zealand members has shown optimism at the change of government to a National-led coalition.
The only certainty following Saturday’s election is the ‘uncertain’ nature of the next government’s exact make-up and who will pick up the important food-related portfolios.
Ramped up trade, removing GST from fruit and veg, and more grocery reforms are among the food-related pledges made in the run-up to tomorrow’s general election.
Turbocharging the primary sector, cracking the India opportunity and securing more free trade agreements are part of the National Party’s plan to boost New Zealand’s exports.
With the countdown on to the general election on October 14, New Zealand Food & Grocery Council chief executive Raewyn Bleakley lays out first actions depending on the outcome.
Support for new entrants could include finance, making sure land is available, regulatory changes, incubating innovation and accelerating competition.
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins has visited Heinz Wattie’s Frederick Street factory in Hastings in Hawke’s Bay.
The National Party’s Primary Sector Growth Plan which includes provisions to make fruit and vegetable growing a permitted activity, has been welcomed by Horticulture New Zealand.
Vegetables New Zealand says it supports the National Party’s pledge to introduce a National Environmental Standard to encourage food production.
The National Party has pledged to “cut the red tape that’s holding back food production” in its Primary Sector Growth Plan released today.
Seafood New Zealand is urging marine protection election promises to “be firmly based in science” after the Green Party promised to ban bottom trawling.
If re-elected, the party says it will use the money to help transform NZ into a global leader in sustainable agri.
A trade ruling finds in favour of NZ, after dairy exporters miss out in an estimated $120m in revenue from the Canadian market.
The Act Party has revealed more details of its proposal to implement a new Ministry of Regulation, with the primary sector forming one of the first to be targeted by the new department.
Agriculture and the production and export of beef and lamb should be at the heart of a new economic strategy for New Zealand, according to a manifesto from New Zealand’s red meat sector.
The National Party has announced its cyclone and flood recovery plans, which would see it cut regulations and set up a specific ombudsman.
A petition for a values-based National Food Strategy has been presented to the government and accepted by MP for Taieri, Indrid Leary.
The Labour campaign pledge to remove GST from fresh fruit and vegetables has left industry asking questions about how the policy would be implemented.
The National Party’s finance spokesperson, Nicola Willis, has claimed that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins plans to “recycle a failed old Labour policy” of removing GST from fresh fruit and vegetables ahead of the October election.
The National Party says it will establish a minister for hunting and fishing to bring forth a raft of changes, including a new Department of Conservation hut partnership.
Kiri Allan has resigned from all her ministerial positions after being charged with reckless driving and resisting arrest.
Next weekend, Auckland will play host to international trade ministers as New Zealand hosts the 7th Commission Meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will travel to Brussels to witness New Zealand signing the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement before heading to Stockholm and the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Lithuania.
A Minister of Hospitality is just one of seven asks the hospitality industry has of whatever government is elected on October 14.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has welcomed the adoption of a new global treaty to protect and restore high seas biodiversity.
The New Zealand economy entered a technical recession in the three months to March 2023, marked by a second consecutive quarter of negative growth with a 0.1% drop in GDP.
The National Party has proposed pushing back the deadline by which farmers have to start paying for agricultural emissions, along with a number of other changes.
A National government will end New Zealand’s ban on gene editing and genetic modification, according to the party’s science, innovation, and technology spokesperson, Judith Collins.
A parliamentary petition calling for the government to develop a national food strategy goes live today. So who is behind the push to design a better food system, why do they think we need it and what would it do?
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins must secure from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a commitment to restart negotiations for a FTA, says the National Party.
The govt’s ‘bread and butter’ budget delivers snacks for some but bare cupboards for others, say industry groups.
The government funds oversight of the sector, including the all-important Grocery Commissioner role.
The government has moved to “unleash business potential” by increasing its investment in Industry Transformation Plans, including for the horticulture sector.
Eat NZ CEO Angela Clifford is part of group preparing to launch the petition, which calls on the government to address a “gaping hole” in policy.
With food price inflation hitting a 26-year high of 12.5% in April, the Government must prioritise tax relief in next week’s Budget, National finance spokesperson Nicola Willis says.
Supporting New Zealanders with the cost of living, and recovery and resilience are among the four overarching themes for next week’s budget, according to Finance Minister Grant Robertson.
Andrew Hoggard has stepped down early from his role as Federated Farmers president.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has announced the portfolio changes resulting from Meka Whaitiri’s exit from the Labour Party to join Te Pāti Māori.
The fast-tracking of the UK FTA is giving exporters hope of new avenues for growth as costs pile up at home, but there is realism around competition and market forces.
The National Party says it will double the Recognised Seasonal Employer worker cap from 19,000 to 38,000 over five years and create a path to residency through the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon says a free trade agreement with India will be a major strategic priority for his government if it is elected in October.
ACT party leader David Seymour says the government can do much more to address price pressures after Easter ended up costing more with the price of chocolate up 8.9% in the past 12 months.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has announced several steps to introduce greater transparency around lobbying at Parliament.
David Parker has been appointed acting minister for oceans and fisheries after Stuart Nash was dismissed from all his ministerial portfolios.
New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ reshuffle has seen the commerce and consumer affairs portfolio land outside cabinet.
New Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins is expected to reshuffle cabinet positions this week.
Bostock manager Catherine Wedd has been selected by local party members as National’s candidate in Tukituki, in the Hawke’s Bay.
Todd Muller has been given the portfolios of agriculture and climate change in the latest National party reshuffle from leader Christopher Luxon.
Jacinda Ardern led NZ to a valuable FTA with the UK, made progress on grocery competition, but also drew criticism for the govt’s climate change and Covid responses.
The 2023 General Election will be held on Saturday 14 October 2023.
“Food and fibre business will have to adapt quickly to the likely changes any sustained recession will bring,” says KPMG’s global head of agribusiness Ian Proudfoot.
A US court ban on New Zealand exports of several fish species from two North Island fisheries is only a preliminary decision although it has the potential to “dent” exports, according to Seafood New Zealand.
Minister for Food Safety Meka Whaitiri is attending the Fourth Australia and New Zealand Food Ministers’ Meeting in Melbourne today to discuss food safety, regulations and ensuring the food production systems in both countries remain relevant and fit for purpose.
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller has been made the National Party’s acting spokesperson for agriculture, biosecurity and food safety.
The National Party has used the latest Food Price Index to point the finger at Labour economic policy including its immigrations settings, claiming it is “impossible to get ahead under Labour.”
The government’s announcement that it will force supermarket groups to supply wholesalers shows they “completely misunderstand” why groceries are expensive, says ACT Leader David Seymour.
National says labour shortages are worsening food inflation while the Greens want a long-term food price strategy.
The Green Party is calling on the government to overhaul the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme in the wake of revelations of human rights violations.
Labour is continuing to hammer small businesses and everyday Kiwis, with record inflation leading to the biggest increase in alcohol excise tax in over 30 years, says the ACT Party’s associate finance spokesperson, Damien Smith.
The government has no plan to address increasing food prices with families continue to suffer, says the National Party’s finance spokesperson, Nicola Willis.
Meka Whaitiri has picked up the food safety portfolio and Michael Wood takes immigration after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reshuffled her cabinet.
New Zealand’s pork industry will be in jeopardy if a new draft code of welfare for pigs gets approval, according to ACT’s Primary Industries spokesperson Mark Cameron.
The government should regulate access to the wholesale market or set-up a state-owned wholesaler, says the consumer organisation.
Meat works around the country are struggling to meet demand due to the government’s failure to keep pace with a vital cog in the supply chain, according to National’s agriculture spokesperson Barbara Kuriger.
The Māori Party has announced a policy to remove GST from all kai to ease the burden on households struggling through the cost of living crisis.
The Commerce Commission is labelled “out-of-touch” for releasing its report while supermarkets are struggling with Omicron impacts.
The National Party says households are going backwards and pay packets are failing to keep up with the rising cost of food.
Pressure is mounting on the government to support a global treaty to protect the oceans.
The National Party says government inaction on border class exceptions for time-critical workers could have an impact on food production and distribution in New Zealand.
Taranaki – King Country MP Barbara Kuriger retains the opposition agriculture spokesperson role but picks up the shadow biosecurity portfolio.
Prior to leading Air NZ, he was at the global FMCG giant for 18 years, and left as president and CEO of its Canada division.
New Zealand’s signing of the US/EU Global Methane Pledge at COP26 could become a “massive structural risk to our food and fibre sector,” says KPMG’s Ian Proudfoot.
The National Party has launched its Back in Business recovery plan it says will “save livelihoods and unleash our economy”.
ANZCO Foods founder Sir Graeme Harrison has joined the National Party’s board.
The National Party has appointed new spokespeople to a range of portfolios related to New Zealand’s food system.
The association fears new housing policy will see productive growing land lost to urban creep.
“Hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for apple, wine and other growers was a near certainty.”
The party’s leader David Seymour says the government should work with the region’s horticulturists.
The Australian government says it will give Kiwi workers $2000 to take up a short-term contract there.
The party pledges support for the food sector including help to modernise the fishing industry.
