19,200 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Waikato and King Country.
In fact, the idea of sustainable food production is both inherent and intuitive within our farming community, yet it remains largely unknown to the broader public. This represents a missed opportunity for positive change.
1. Increasing access by modifying food safety regulations and reducing barriers for the cottage food industry.
However, we can make progress by following the guidance of Catherine Miller from Kellogg Rural Leadership.
Catherine has published an insightful study that serves as a blueprint for collaboration between governments and communities aimed at creating a sustainable local food supply. Her research highlights the personal experiences of individuals facing food insecurity and emphasises the importance of self-sufficiency skills, such as gardening and bartering, along with strong community networks.
They can’t do it alone, or at least not without difficulty. That’s where the government could step in. There are regulatory barriers that could be addressed by the government to facilitate this development. Some initiatives we could pursue, as recommended in Catherine’s study, include:
2. Tightening regulations on processed foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fats to reduce their availability and marketing — especially to children.
3. Establishing a national food strategy that enables and facilitates the development of local food systems.
4. Utilising Pamu farms to experiment with stacking enterprises that are suitable for the local area, identifying diversification opportunities for small landowners and increasing participation in food production.
However, it all still comes down to the government (local and central), and communities working together to grow the concept. I like to think we will, if we grow together.
If you would like to read Catherine’s study in its entirety, contact my office at barbara.kuriger@parliament.govt.nz, and I’ll send you a link to her site.
Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki—King Country
by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki—King Country.
Farming future is ‘scaling up’
by Paul Campbell
The National Fieldays was a red-letter event for the farming sector and news of an upsurge in the country’s food and fibre exports to nearly $60 billion in the year to the end of this month was also marked with multimillion-dollar new spending on rural wellbeing.
At Mystery Creek, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced a new $4 million Rural Wellbeing Fund, to expand investment in community-based initiatives as the result of advocacy by Federated Farmers chair, Wayne Langford.
“We’re backing the people on the ground who are already doing great work. This fund is about scaling up, reaching further and removing barriers for rural communities to lead their own wellbeing efforts,” Mr McClay said.
“This package is about ensuring the farmers and growers who generate our export income, create jobs, and sustain our regions have the support they need to thrive. When rural New Zealand is well — New Zealand does well.”
In addition to the Rural Wellbeing Fund, the government has confirmed:
• $6 million over four years for Rural Support Trusts across the country;
• An extra $1 million this year for frontline rural mental wellbeing services;
• $400,000 in grants for A&P shows that foster rural connection and pride; and
• $250,000 to support the expanded outreach work of Rural Women New Zealand.
Expressions of interests for project funding are now open.
On the wider farm front, the spending is buoyed by news that sector export revenue is expected to increase 12% to $59.9 billion for the year to June 30, supported by tight global beef and milk supplies, solid demand and a weaker New Zealand dollar against the United States dollar. However, the figures could still change going forward in the event of geopolitical changes due to the Middle East conflict.
Still, the current outlook is positive, as looking ahead to 2025–2026, food and fibre sector export revenue is forecast to reach $61.4 billion, driven by strengthening export revenue in the dairy, meat and wool, horticulture,
forestry, and processed food and other products sectors.
Dairy export revenue is projected to rise by 16% to $27 billion in the year ending June and driven by higher global dairy prices to $27.8 billion next year.
Meat and wool export revenue is forecast to increase eight per cent to $12.3 billion, due to tighter global beef and lamb production, and looking ahead to 2025–26 is forecast to increase to $12.7 billion, as a result of improving demand and constrained global beef exports supporting prices.
76%
of New Zealanders are concerned about “fake news” and its implications
Federated Farmers chair, Wayne Langford backed a $4 million project
BY DENISE GUNN
FRural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) start a year celebrating its 100th anniversary in July, and has released a centennial rose selected especially to commemorate the event.
ive years of planning went into selecting the floribunda rose, grown at Matthews Nurseries Limited near Whanganui.
Members of the Fordell/Mangamahu branch of RWNZ came up with the idea of a rose to honour the past, be enjoyed in the present and into the future.
0800 TROUGH
Fordell/Mangamahu branch committee member Clare Adkins said it had to be a statement about rural women, people of the land that nurture and grow, are versatile and hardy.
“Secondly, we wanted it to be a conduit for RWNZ members to publicise and
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ROSE CELEBRATES RURAL WOMEN
highlight the projects and activities that each branch or group is involved in, within their communities.
“Thirdly, it was to be an opportunity for each branch to raise a little bit of money to use in their area.”
The group wanted to follow the trailblazing lead of former Mangamahu/ Whanganui resident Florence Polson.
Florence was the first dominion president of the rural division of the Farmer’s Union, formed in 1925.
The name of this division, originally established to support isolated rural women, was rebranded RWNZ in 1999.
Clare said as the branch is in the Fordell/ Mangamahu area, they felt a responsibility to live up to Florence’s example.
“It’s a way to celebrate the centenary and also a platform to promote RWNZ in a positive way around the country. Those who order a rose could potentially become a member.”
Matthews Nurseries in Fordell cultivated the rose for RWNZ
living rurally throughout New Zealand
The group contacted Matthews Nurseries in Fordell to cultivate a new rose for RWNZ. Multi-award winning rose breeder Bob Matthews runs the nurseries, along with his wife Cath and daughter, Sam.
“We teamed up with them and a small group went to their trial growing area in November 2021,” said Clare.
A short list of around 12 roses was made.
“We went back in the autumn and whittled them down to two that we really liked. The following year we made our selection.”
Meantime, Matthews Nurseries started building up numbers of that rose. A competition, held to name the rose, was opened up to national membership and build up enthusiasm.
Clare said a couple of their senior members who have been involved for many years, had the honour of being judges.
The name Rural Women was chosen for the lilac-coloured, fragrant rose. The first priority in the selection process was the rose’s scent.
“We are very keen that each branch makes a little money from the sale of each rose. For our branch, it’s about building our capital for our bursary fund.
“It’s the secondary school bursary where children from the Whanganui-east cluster of schools can apply to get money towards uniforms and computers when starting high school. It’s to get a good start in their high schools.”
Clare joined RWNZ in Marton more than 30 years ago as a way to meet locals. When she and her husband Grant bought a farm near Whanganui in 2015, she transferred to the Fordell/Mangamahu branch.
For the past 100 years, RWNZ has launched several initiatives. One of these
early schemes included a bush nursing programme, employing nurses with surgical and midwifery qualifications to provide care in remote areas.
A dominion book club was established in 1927 to distribute hundreds of book parcels to isolated members. That same year, the emergency housekeepers scheme was introduced, with wages supported by a newly created community chest.
In 1935, the organisation affiliated with the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW). When the second world war began, the division guided women towards making woollen goods for the merchant navy.
During the dominion conference in 1940, a fundraising campaign was suggested to raise money for a Spitfire aircraft. Within one month, members
raised £5,000, which was forwarded, via the New Zealand government, to Great Britain for the purchase of a Spitfire.
The aircraft, inscribed with WDNZFU, was first piloted by the son of a Levin branch member.
Following the Christchurch earthquake, RWNZ gathered together to feed Farmy Army volunteers. Funds raised from RWNZ’s successful Aftersocks campaign went to affected rural communities.
Since those early schemes, RWNZ has continued to support women and children in rural communities. Each year, the NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards recognises entrepreneurial women who have created their own businesses.
To order a Rural Women centennial rose, visit ruralwomennz.nz and follow the link to RWNZ Centennial, or contact Fiona Gower at fionagower@hotmail.com.
Rural Women New Zealand supports and connects with women and their families
FBY PAUL CAMPBELL
THE GLOBAL REACH OF MYSTERY CREEK
“I think the industry as a whole is on the up,” said Fieldays CEO Richard Lindroost. “It felt really positive out there delivering real momentum for New Zealand’s primary and fibre industries, which is forecast to reach a record $59.9 billion.”
ieldays 2025 has confirmed the event as the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural event as Mystery Creek was transformed into a pop-up city, drawing more than 110,000 visitors through the gates.
A strong international representation was evident, with a total of 66 exhibitors, up from 49 last year. International representation also included 23 embassies and 1,054 supporting visa letters were provided. “Globalisation is a key pillar for Fieldays, and supporting our exhibitors in developing global connections and sharing our story on the world stage is a key aspect of the event,” said Lindroos.
Another strategic pillar is education, which also saw an increase with 92 school groups pre-registering, up from 57 schools last year. New features included Fieldays Tent Talks in association with the University of Waikato, Fieldays Drone Zone and Fieldays Sector Spotlight — It’s Wool.
The Rural Advocacy Hub, a collaboration with Federated Farmers, returned for its second year, again proving to be a critical platform for discussing the industry’s most important topics with 14 of parliament’s ministers speaking.
The spotlight was on the agricultural industries’ most promising ideas in the
innovation awards judged by a panel of 18 sector experts.
“It takes commitment and perseverance for innovators to put themselves out there to be critiqued,” said programme manager, Steve Chappell. “This year, we have seen entries that combine impact, innovation and industry leadership.”
Ruminant Biotech from Auckland was the winner of the prototype award supported by Sprout Agritech and Blender Design for its slow-release bolus, Emitless, which delivers over 75% methane reduction in cattle for 100 days from a single treatment.
Head judge Peter Dowd said: “This year’s winner has not only demonstrated
strong underpinning science and a thorough product development process, but also a solid understanding of the market and regulatory environment that their product will be entering. Their effective implementation of their solution will have a drastic impact on New Zealand’s emissions profile.”
The best food vendor award went to Johney’s Dumpling House
Oamaru’s Alps2Ocean Foods Tapui Ltd won the early-stage award with its product Mīti, which transforms bobby calf waste from the dairy industry into a high-value, low-carbon protein product that creates value from waste, reduces emissions, and offers a commercially viable path forward for a more circular and ethical agri-food sector.
CropX, from Wellington won the growth and scale award with their agritech solution that provides insights to global growers.
Hamilton’s St Paul’s Collegiate School’s KiwiPrune team won the Fieldays Young Innovator Award for entrants 19 years old and under. KiwiPrune was designed and developed as part of the coursework for the AgriBusiness in Schools programme to simplify the labour-intensive task of removing the plastic clips used to secure the kiwifruit vine.
The tractor pull competition, in association with PTS Logistics, celebrated 50 years, with
contestants putting their machines to the test in challenging conditions, competing in various categories determined by tractor load weight, age and modifications.
Other staples, including fencing and excavators, provided thrilling competitions.
Joining the competition line-up for the first time was Red Bull Cut It, which proved to be a crowd favourite, with visitors checking out the fun atmosphere created by the Red Bull team, alongside the New Zealand Lawn Mower Racing Association.
The tractor pull competition faced wet and muddy track conditions that added an extra layer of difficulty to the competition. Organiser Dan Reymer said it was one of the wettest years they’ve had for a long time with a record number of entries. For the first time in many years, the competition welcomed a South Island competitor all the way from Gore, along with a group from the Bay of Plenty.
In the site awards for the first time, visitors had the opportunity to influence the results by voting via the Fieldays app.
“By inviting visitors to vote, it brings a new lens to our judging process and our visitors’ perspective to the mix,” said official Abbie Jansen.
“The judges were unanimous in their decision echoing the results of the public’s choice in selecting the winners.”
Participating exhibitors are judged on brand and storytelling, overall attractiveness, innovative site design, customer engagement and outstanding features.
More than 150 volunteers helped make the four days of Fieldays a success, along with staff, the family of sponsors and the 1,200 valued exhibitors. Event data will be released in the coming months, as planning begins for Fieldays 2026 back at Mystery Creek from Wednesday, June 10 to Saturday, June 13 2026.
Tractor pull competitor and organiser Daniel Reymer
More than 110,000 visitors were recorded over the four-day event
by Paul Campbell
Avian flu alert remains valid
The Ministry of Primary Industries has alerted farmers to a continuing pandemic threat with farming origins as scientists warn of a spreading strain of bird flu called H5N1.
The current pandemic started in Asia in 2020, when a high pathogenic strain was detected, usually confined to domestic poultry like chickens and ducks. Outbreaks either peter out or are controlled, as was the case in an Otago chicken farm last year.
MPI says that strain was H7N6, and strong evidence it may have developed after free-range laying hens foraging outside were exposed to the low pathogenicity virus from wild waterfowl, which then mutated in the hens to become HPAI.
“While it is not the H5N1 type circulating among wildlife around the world that has caused concern, we worked with the farm owner and industry to stamp out this strain,” the ministry reported.
Overseas, the HSN1 strain began to spread rapidly across Africa and Europe in 2020, and into the southern hemisphere in 2024 with intensive farming as a common incubator. This prompts a look at New Zealand’s potential vulnerability, and an Internet search gives the comforting Stats NZ detail that as of January 2024, there were just 165 broiler farms and some 170 layer farms across New Zealand.
Compare this with the fact that intensive livestock farms are spreading across Europe with more than 24,000
megafarms across the continent. In the UK, there are 1,824 industrial-scale pig and poultry farms. The largest number of intensive poultry farm units are France, UK, Germany, Italy and Poland.
In the Kiwi case, MPI has published guidelines for reporting the disease.
Free-range and healthy is the goal
“New Zealand has never had a case of the H5N1 strain of HPAI that has caused high numbers of deaths in birds and mammals overseas. If the H5N1 strain of bird flu arrived here, it could severely
impact a variety of bird species, including our native birds.
“The most obvious sign of HPAI is rapid mortality among a group of birds. Other signs vary, depending on the affected bird species.”
COMMUNITY
Should I take coenzyme Q10?
by John Arts, Abundant Health Ltd
Imagine trying to drive your car after someone had crimped the fuel line from your fuel tank to your engine. The car would still run but would quickly lose power on a hill or under load.
This is much like our bodies when they have insufficient Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 acts like the fuel line in your car by transporting energy within cell energy factories called mitochondria to make the energy we need.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential vitamin-like substance mostly made in our liver. While we normally make all the CoQ10 we need, some people because of age, health problems or medications can benefit from taking good quality CoQ10. Be aware that the market is now flooded with low cost semisynthetic CoQ10, which is chemically different from the naturally fermented CoQ10 that I recommend.
The most common reason for CoQ10 supplementation is for those using cholesterol lowering (statin) medication. The side effects of statins are so common that they are diagnosable diseases called statin myopathy and statin neuropathy. The most common side effects are muscle stiffness, pain and
weakness. This can also cause general fatigue, which often feels like a lack of motivation.
Statins inhibit the enzyme needed to make cholesterol. Unfortunately, this enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) is also needed to make CoQ10. Restricting this enzyme reduces cholesterol but also CoQ10 by as much as 50%.
Drug companies are aware of this problem and hold patents for combining CoQ10 with statins. Until such drugs are available, I recommend those on statins supplement with 100–200mg of naturally fermented CoQ10. If people have low energy or have other health issues, I often add a mitochondrial complex that includes high grade CoQ10.
John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at abundant.co.nz.
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by Andy Bryenton
Tax credit to grow farms and businesses
Investment Boost is the name of a new scheme developed by the government to encourage farmers and other business owners to invest in their own operations.
Announced in late May, but hitting its full impact during the National Fieldays in mid-June, the tax package effectively cuts one-fifth from the price of all new farming machinery, vehicles, equipment, plant and buildings. This is returned as a tax credit, with the aim of the plan being to persuade farmers to retrench some of the high payouts coming from record beef, dairy and crop prices into self-investment.
“There’s no cap on the value of eligible investments. All businesses, regardless of size, can benefit,” said Finance Minister Nicola Willis.
“Investment Boost delivers more bang for buck than a company tax cut because it only applies to new investments, not those made in the past.”
Here’s how it works. Businesses can claim 20 per cent deductions for the costs of new (or new to New Zealand) business assets that they bought, or finished constructing, on or after May 22 2025, according to Inland Revenue. They can then still claim depreciation as usual on the remaining 80 per cent.
That’s a big discount, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars, and it’s able to be claimed on any new or New-Zealand new assets. That could mean dairy machinery, ATVs, tractors, harvesting equipment, trailers, bailers, effluent infrastructure or silos. It can also stretch to encompass any non-residential building constructed
on a farm, for commercial or industrial purposes. Furthermore, improvements to primary sector land are also covered. There’s also the opportunity for nonprimary industries, such as transport and logistics companies, to get on board and improve their fleets or premises. Full details of who qualifies, and how much they could claim back, are available at ird. govt.nz/investment-boost.
“The Treasury and Inland Revenue estimate Investment Boost will improve economic growth, lifting New Zealand’s GDP by one per cent, wages by 1.5 per cent and our capital stock by 1.6 per cent over the next 20 years, with around half these gains expected in the first five years,” says Ms Willis.
“Investment Boost starts today and applies to new assets purchased in New
Zealand as well as new and used assets imported from overseas. It includes commercial buildings but excludes land, residential buildings and assets already in use in New Zealand.”
The message to farmers and business owners is to act fast; demand will be high as evidenced by vehicle and equipment sales at Fieldays. For buildings, the waiting lists could stretch unless you act soon.
The coalition government’s Investment Boost tax break has driven exceptional interest in vehicles, plant and machinery at the recent Fieldays in Mystery Creek
by Andy Bryenton
Top 10 ways to beat the cold
Ready for the chills of winter? We asked the experts to kit out a theoretical home with the best winter warmers, and used that input to craft this top-10 list for a cosier and healthier season.
Insulation all round
Heat tries to escape, so trap it with efficient insulation in your roof cavity, inside your external walls and under your floor. Even if you have insulation up top, it’s a good idea to check it out and see if it’s time for a replacement or top up.
Heat pumps
No longer a new technology, but an accepted part of your home heating plan. Save money on electricity, and enjoy cool summers, too, with these efficient heat exchangers, now a less costly investment than ever before.
Fireplaces
It’s hard to beat the classics. A modern fireplace can heat hot water, too, and there are gas and pellet options as well as wood. Remember to get a chimney sweep and fireplace WOF if you already have one installed, it could be a requirement of your home insurance.
Heat transfer
A simple ducted kit can take excess heat from up near the ceiling above
your fireplace, and vent it directly to bedrooms otherwise left out in the cold. Inexpensive and effective if you have a roof cavity you can run the insulated ducting through.
Double glazing
This glazing innovation works wonders, but it’s not all your local glass professionals can do for you to banish the cold. Window and door gaps are the enemy of a warm and healthy home. Get them sorted, and if new windows are needed, consider going double.
Positive pressure ventilation
Taking dry air from the roof cavity of the average home and pumping it into the living areas to create a moisture-free environment is a great innovation. These systems work wonders for any home suffering from crying windows syndrome, and they make other heating sources more efficient.
Steam extractors
Also in the business of making a home dry, because damp air creates mould and
is hard to heat, these fans for the kitchen and bathroom are a must.
Flooring
Cold feet can be cured with the addition of warm, soft carpeting, but did you know that the insulative properties of underlay can help warm up other areas of the home, even under vinyl or wood?
Thermal curtains
Glass radiates heat, so if you want to seal in the warmth you’ve generated
this winter, contact your local curtain specialists for visually appealing, thermally intelligent curtains all round.
Draught exclusion
Gaps in your home’s armour let in spiteful chills, so check the fitment of doors, windows, ranch sliders and skylights now. Foam tape might suffice for a DIY job, but if there’s a major gap or a sticking frame, call in the professionals.
Leaders from across the livestock sector have come together with the government to sign a new agreement on how to prepare and respond in the unlikely event of a foot and mouth disease outbreak.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Deer Industry New Zealand, NZPork and the Meat Industry Association of New Zealand signed the operational agreement alongside the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) at Fieldays. The agreement formalises how the seven partners will work together on foot and mouth disease (FMD) readiness, and how to respond should the disease arrive here. It sets out how the costs of FMD readiness and response activities will be shared between the government and the livestock industry. It also creates
legally binding participation of industry in decision-making, ensuring that farmers’ interests, knowledge and input is heard.
DairyNZ chief executive and inaugural chair of the Foot and Mouth Disease Council Campbell Parker welcomed the signing.
“Biosecurity is a key priority for DairyNZ as it helps us to power more productive and resilient farms — with dairy farmers the biggest sector investors in the biosecurity system,” he said.
“Dealing with an outbreak of FMD would cost the livestock sector billions, and we want to be involved in deciding how those costs would be best spent.”
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland said the wide sector support for this agreement was reflected in a clear ‘yes’ vote from sheep and beef farmers, following the high-profile voting campaign undertaken by Beef + Lamb New Zealand in April and May.
“We needed their formal approval to sign the agreement and our farmers told us they want to have a voice in decisionmaking about readiness and response activities and funding,” she said.
Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand executive director Kimberly Crewther said the agreement signing is a major milestone after more than a decade of engagement to establish the foundations for partnership in addressing this most significant biosecurity risk for the livestock sectors.
Deer Industry New Zealand CEO Rhys Griffiths said the legally binding agreement gives the deer industry a seat at the table, which is vital for representing the voices of farmers.
“Such representation is crucial, not just for the deer industry but for the wider primary industries and the channeling of farmer perspectives to the government.”
Meat Industry Association of New Zealand chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said “the agreement has support across the agricultural sector and shows a clear commitment of both the government and industry to work collaboratively on FMD.”
THE BEST SOLUTION FOR YOUR DAIRY FLOOR RESURFACING
Now there is an extremely cost effective and easy to use product that will bring back your damaged concrete floors to an approved standard.
COLOURCRETE DAIRY FLOOR RESURFACER has been specially formulated for the repair of worn or damaged concrete in the dairy industry. Dairy Floor Resurfacer is a two pack system combining a Portland cement, fine aggregate based micro concrete and sophisticated binders that provide superior, compressive, tensile and flexural strength as well as a very high level of abrasion resistance and adhesion. This product is suitable for repairing worn or pitted areas or to provide a non-slip surface where necessary.
A two pot clear epoxy sealer can be supplied to reduce the wearing effects of milk and acid.
COLOURCRETE DAIRY FLOOR RESURFACER
can be supplied as a ‘do it yourself kit’ and delivered anywhere in New Zealand or applied, in most areas, by contractors.
COLOURCRETE DAIRY FLOOR RESURFACER
Part A is supplied in 20kg bags and covers approximately 3m square. Part B modifier is supplied in both 10litre and 20litre containers and approximately 4litres per 20kg bag would be required. After trowelling, the surface can be broomed or sponge finished.
Setting the benchmark
The Kāinga Ora decision to award a multimillion-dollar contract for wool carpet supply in its new build and renovated homes is being hailed as a breakthrough for NZ’s natural fibre sector by industry experts.
Locally-owned manufacturer
Bremworth will be the wool carpet supplier for the Kāinga Ora agency’s newly constructed and retrofitted homes. It will see wool carpet installed in almost 1,000 planned state housing projects annually.
Bremworth CEO Craig Woolford says the win has far-reaching implications for the public sector procurement, the rural community and the broader property development industry.
“This isn’t just a commercial contract, it’s a signal to the entire construction sector that wool carpet meets the durability, safety and sustainability standards expected of any high-traffic housing environment. Government agencies like Kāinga Ora are seen as setting the benchmark for the wider industry,” said Woolford.
“Wool has now passed one of the most stringent testing processes in the country. It’s proof that when put on a level playing field, New Zealand-made natural fibres can not only compete, they can win.”
The contract announcement follows extensive industry lobbying and sector advocacy, which pushed for wool manufacturers to be able to pitch for government building projects.
“The inclusion of wool is a win for the environment, for New Zealand’s farmers and future tenants of these homes.”
Beyond the public housing win, Bremworth is already seeing positive movement in the private sector as a result of the announcement.
“We’re now actively being invited to present wool carpet solutions to property developers and construction firms involved in Kāinga Ora builds, and those working on private developments. It’s giving us access to projects that had previously defaulted to synthetic solutions.”
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Woolford says that while the production volumes for the Kāinga Ora contract represent a relatively small portion of Bremworth’s total capacity, the strategic value is enormous.
“To produce 20,000 broadloom metres of wool carpet, you’re looking at approximately 95 tonnes of wool, the annual fleece of more than 31,000 New Zealand sheep. It’s a demonstration of the potential scale of opportunity for our wool sector.
“This proves performance at scale and under pressure. It also opens the door for broader adoption in schools, commercial fit-outs and private homes.”
He says wool’s natural properties, including its flame resistance, air purification capabilities, thermal and acoustic insulation and biodegradability, are uniquely suited to New Zealand’s sustainability goals.
“The Kāinga Ora new state homes are built to the latest standards, designed to deliver better warmth, comfort and health outcomes for some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable residents, and flooring choices like wool carpet play a vital role in achieving that.
“This is an important milestone, but also just the beginning of a much bigger conversation about the role of New Zealand wool in our built environment.”
Craig Woolford, Bremworth CEO, says the Kāinga Ora contract sets the benchmark for the wider industry
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by Andy Bryenton
Innovations light up National Fieldays
The judges who hosted the 2025 National Fieldays Innovation Awards had a packed field of 63 finalists to consider as they went into their deliberations in mid-June, picking the best of the crop for this prestigious accolade.
Eighteen judges had narrowed the contenders down to five finalists in each of four categories as the nation’s biggest agricultural event reached its peak, but only three could be crowned as the best of the best.
“It is always exciting to see who has taken out these awards; it takes commitment and perseverance for innovators to put themselves out there to be critiqued,” said Steve Chappell programme manager of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society. “This year, we have seen entries that combine impact, innovation and industry leadership; there are some true standouts.”
Television personality, comedian and official Fieldays’ MC Te Radar announced the winners of the prototype, early-stage, young innovator and growth and scale categories live before an engaged crowd.
The prototype award went to Ruminant Biotech, a company that has developed a new slow-release bolus called Emitless, which delivers a more than 75 per cent methane output reduction in cattle, lasting 100 days from a single treatment.
“This year’s winner has not only demonstrated strong underpinning science and a thorough product development process but also a solid
Collegiate School in Hamilton
understanding of the market and regulatory environment that their product will be entering,” said judge Peter Dowd.
“Their IP is well considered, and effective implementation of their solution will have a drastic impact on New Zealand’s emissions profile”.
Alps2Ocean Food Tapui won the early-stage award, with its product Mīti, designed to process excess dairy calves into a world-first, shelf-stable protein snack.
“By addressing a long-standing social licence challenge, they’re helping reshape the wellbeing narrative around calf management in New Zealand,” said judge Shane Dooley.
CropX took out the growth and scale award, with the expansion of the CropX platform and the development and incorporation of the Evato1 evapotranspiration sensor. With more data available to farmers through
this system, the judges praised CropX for facilitating smarter, more efficient practices.
Students from St Paul’s Collegiate School’s KiwiPrune team won the Fieldays Young Innovator Award for their idea to simplify the labour-intensive task of removing plastic clips used to secure kiwifruit vines. A device they developed to remove the clips and improve productivity was a hit with the judges.
“The judges saw significant potential for use in kiwifruit orchards both in NZ and overseas, as well as in other horticulture and viticulture applications,” said judge Jenny Cameron.
Making it easier to manage kiwifruit vines was the spark of inspiration behind award-winning idea KiwiPrune, developed by students of St Paul’s
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by Andy Bryenton
Who are you going to call?
Fieldays in a positive frame of mind
A huge National Fieldays packed in more than 100,000 visitors and 1,200 exhibitors in mid-June, exceeding targets and showing that record-high commodity prices are driving a round of upgrades and investments on Kiwi farms.
As Fieldays’ CEO Richard Lindroos tipped sales to exceed those of 2024, and cited ‘queues out the door’ for both general and big-ticket items, the focus of many guests was not just on the bellwether performance of the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest agricultural event, but also on what the coalition government would announce during the threeday festival.
Prime minister Christopher Luxon’s address to the Fieldays’ crowd was not focussed on the uptick in the rural economy’s returns, or on the impact of a new tax incentive on farm machinery. It was all about appreciating those on the front lines of the rural economy, and supporting their mental health.
“I want the farmers to know they’re deeply valued and deeply loved by this government,” said Mr Luxon. “This is the backbone of the New Zealand economy; we are the best farmers in the world.”
Todd McClay then went on to announce a $4 million boost to rural wellbeing, to expand investment in communitybased initiatives.
While many opined that the best panacea to rural stress is the profitability of farming, and the rising value of milk solids, red meat and crops, such as kiwifruit, in a volatile world trade market are delivering more than $4 million in relief, Mr McClay’s news was met with positivity.
Programmes like FarmStrong, Surfing for Farmers, New Zealand Young Farmers and FirstMate are well regarded, well patronised and proven effective in rural New Zealand. A panel of five with representation from the primary sector will be established to review similar initiatives, test their ability to provide clear benefits to rural communities, and gauge their ability to attract co-investment before funds are granted.
“We’re backing the people on the ground who are already doing great work. This fund is about scaling up, reaching further, and removing barriers for rural communities to lead their own wellbeing efforts,” Mr McClay said.
This $4 million fund brings the government’s commitment to rural resilience and mental health to more than $11 million in total, to be disbursed during the next four years. That figure also includes $6 million for Rural Support Trusts and $1 million in 2025 alone for rural mental wellbeing services.
“This package is about ensuring the farmers and growers who generate our
export income, create jobs, and sustain our regions have the support they need to thrive,” Mr McClay says. “When rural New Zealand is well — New Zealand does well.”
Prime minister Christopher Luxon has called Kiwi farmers the best in the world at his Fieldays’ address
I n t e g r a t e s w i t h
Fo n t e r r a Fa r m D a i r y
R e c o r d s . N o m o r e
d o u b l i n g u p o n d a t a ! Make
by Andy Bryenton
Who are you going to call?
Design awards push the envelope
The iF Design Awards have been handed out for 2025, marking the pinnacle of aesthetic achievement in a wide range of products, including the automotive world.
Two of the winners in this category point to an interesting divergence in auto design, and highlight the way in which traditional designers are being matched by up-and-coming new rivals.
In the corner of new contenders with everything to prove we have the GAC group, out of Guangzhou, China. Their award-winning effort is the GAC ERA, an SUV with doors like a 1963 Lincoln and seats that can rearrange from a standard sports utility configuration into a kind of mobile lounge room. The ERA even has its own stow-away coffee table to complement its plush, revolving pilot’s chairs. Open up those massive doors and the entire mobile living room is open to the air.
Taking a stand for traditional design is Pininfarina, the Italian company responsible for some of the most breathtaking and expensive supercars of all time. For 2025, they swept the iF Design Awards with the literal Batmobile; their bespoke, topless electric supercar, the B95. Why is this ultra-stylised, coachbuilt track rocket associated with
the Caped Crusader? Moreover, because Pininfarina made a special Gotham Edition, specially designed for Bruce Wayne himself. Judges called it the ultimate open-top driving experience.
However, the winner that Kiwi customers will be most keen to embrace comes from a different design discipline altogether. The Valtra S Series tractors have already performed well in the Tractor of the Year competition, and now they’ve been feted for their excellent, driverfocussed design which makes a hard day’s work in the cab easier to manage.
“We’re delighted that once again, the S Series demonstrates its exceptional farmer-focussed design with this prestigious iF Design Award. Following the completion of our new CVT transmission facility, the S Series is 100 per cent built in Finland. Farmers and contractors can get exactly the machine they need for their demanding large-scale smart farming businesses,” said Valtra vice-president Matti Tiitinen.
It’s easy to applaud innovative hydrogen electric SUVs that act as a
moving living room or supercars designed for superheroes. However, the importance of Valtra’s design input into making the S Series safer, more comfortable and more intuitive to operate will come in a better bottom line for farmers who adopt it, and
that flows on to a stronger rural economy. Especially when competitors, as they inevitably do in a vigorous market, take note of what’s pushing Valtra to the top of the awards podium, and make similar innovations of their own.
The Valtra S Series has won a prestigious design award, putting it in the same category as the Batmobile-inspired B95 Gotham supercar
