Farming & Rural

New Zealand's long-troubled Holidays Act is finally being replaced, after the Employment Leave Bill passed its third and final reading in Parliament this week. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden described the reform as the delivery of something workers and businesses have been asking governments to

New Zealand's firearms laws have been overhauled for the first time in more than four decades, with the Arms Bill passing its final reading in Parliament. For Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, it is the culmination of six years of work. "On a personal level, this is

Tom Slee is heading straight back to calving. But first, a national title. The Southland dairy farmer was crowned the 2026 FMG Young Farmer of the Year at the Grand Final in New Plymouth on Saturday evening, beating six other regional champions to claim New Zealand's most prestigious

A Southland deer and dairy farming couple have taken out the country's top prize for sustainable farming. Michelle and Tony Roberts, of Merino Downs near Gore, were named winners of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and 2026 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing at a ceremony in Christchurch

A Southland dairy farmer is heading to New Plymouth next week to chase the same national farming title his father won 26 years ago. Tom Slee, 29, is one of seven grand finalists in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition, running July 2–4 in New Plymouth. The

Fonterra has lifted its profit forecast and narrowed next season's milk price range as strong demand offset global shipping disruption. The dairy co-operative posted year-to-date operating profit of $1.8 billion, up $103 million on last year. Underlying earnings per share rose to 57 cents from 53 cents.

The Government will pump an extra $79 million into wilding pine control over three years, nearly doubling current funding to tackle what farmers call an ecological disaster spreading across New Zealand's high country. The Budget 2026 commitment takes total wilding pine funding to $109 million — a significant increase

Danone will fund three annual scholarships for Telford students in perpetuity, targeting agriculture, animal health, farm systems and equine programmes. The global food company's partnership with Southern Institute of Technology marks a significant investment in Southland's agricultural education sector. Three scholarships — covering academic excellence, practical skills