MIL-OSI: Data > Intelligence > News
Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Environmental lawyers say they remain concerned about the risks posed by glyphosate-based products, the most commonly used herbicide in Aotearoa, despite a rejection in the High Court. Last week, the High Court dismissed the Environmental Law Initiative’s (ELI) challenge of the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) decision not to reassess glyphosate, … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand A sow in a farrowing crate. (File photo) Claudius Thiriet / Biosphoto via AFP MPs deliberating controversial changes to pig welfare rules will have less time to scrutinise new rules. The Animal Welfare Amendment (Regulations of Management of Pigs) Bill proposed to keep farrow crates, but gave pig farmers 10 years … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Pastoral farming remains a key sector in the Hawke’s Bay economy. A rural land agent has allayed fears a significant Hawke’s Bay farm will be planted in pine trees. The Riverbank Station owned by former All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock and his wife Hannah is on the market. The flat, rolling … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Sheep and beef farmer Chris Lovell says floodwaters were so high he was afraid to leave his home to check on stock. RNZ / Robin Martin There have been calls for a review of the warnings issued ahead of last week’s weather event which brought down hundreds of slips, closed dozens … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand The Eterna is the world’s largest variety of blueberry. Supplied / The Fresh Berry Company This story has been updated to clarify the blueberries will not be genetically modified The world’s largest variety of blueberry will soon be grown and sold in New Zealand. Described as “up to the size of … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Wind-damaged pivot irrigators in North Canterbury. Supplied Tens of millions of dollars worth of irrigation equipment is thought to have been damaged by strong winds in North Canterbury. Thursday’s gales tossed and twisted hundreds of massive pivot irrigators, leaving Amuri Basin farmers with weeks or months-long waits for replacement parts from … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand A first responder and local farmer believes it’s a miracle no one was hurt in the devastating storm that hit Clutha, but he’s warning there will be injuries in the clean up. At its peak, communications, power and water were off across Southland and Clutha creating a nightmare situation for farmers. … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Only 72 percent of Māori children under five years old are vaccinated. 123rf Rural nurses are on a mission to try and lift measle vaccination rates in hard to reach areas, as health experts expect the outbreak to grow. There are currently 11 known measles cases throughout the country, and the … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand They used to be a regular sight on New Zealand’s roads and paddocks – the plodding, but magnificent Clydesdales. The horses with the hobbit hooves helped tame the land in earlier times, ploughing wheatfields, carting lumber and carving out New Zealand’s infrastructure, but these dignified animals are now becoming a rare … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Andrew Johnstone Storm-hit farmers are tired, cold and cut off from communications More support hubs are being set up Rural Support Trust says focus is moving to human welfare More than 200 dairy farms across Southland are still relying on generators to keep their cows milked, sometimes borrowing them … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand The sale of Fonterra’s consumer businesses could have a flow-on effect for the economy. 123rf / Supplied images The New Zealand economy is set to benefit from an estimated $4.5 billion increase in spending, should the sale of Fonterra’s consumer businesses go ahead. ASB economists said the proposed sale of Fonterra’s … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Ben Banks stands on the tracks among the dunes at the side of Thornton Lagoon RNZ/Sally Round Conservationist Ben Banks spends a lot of his spare time trying to protect the Okorero -Thornton Lagoon wildlife reserve but it seems joyriders are just as much of a threat as the pests he’s … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Stand-up comedians Te Radar and Ruth Spencer have compiled a list of all the things that make up life in the New Zealand countryside. Supplied Ever wondered about the origins of the ride-on mower or the humble pair of longjohns? Then Te Radar and Ruth Spencer have the book for you. … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand A section of the newly surfaced Waimate Trail through DoC land Supplied The first stage of the 67km Waimate Trail – Te Ara Waimatemate is nearing completion. It will pass through native forest, limestone rock formations, tussock tops, river flats and valleys. It’s hoped the shared-use trail will be a world-class … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand This year, Janet Macky has eight children at her calf club. Ke-Xin Li For many rural children, spring means calf club time – a much loved tradition where children raise a young farm animal and show them off for ribbons and prizes. In the Waikato community of Pāterangi, Janet Macky’s calf … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. FLORENT GOODEN / PHOTOSPORT Liam Lawson showed some racing maturity and survived a clash with his team-mate to pick up valuable points at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil. Lawson finished seventh after starting in the same position, but avoided some carnage on the … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Caleb Clarke and Quinn Tupaea. www.photosport.nz Caleb Clarke’s frustrating run of injuries has continued with the All Blacks wing ruled out of this weekend’s test against England at Twickenham. The Blues star suffered a head knock in Sunday’s win over Scotland at Murrayfield and assistant coach Jason Holland confirmed on Monday … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Te Pāti Māori’s national council has voted to expel MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris, after a period of internal conflict. The National Iwi Chairs Forum had been hopeful the party’s two factions could patch things up at a hui at a Wellington marae this week. That plan has been scuppered, … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Garo Phanie / AFP A group of women who have had ongoing issues with Estradot patches says they feel like they’ve been heard after Medsafe told them it was initiating independent testing. A number of women have reported problems with the oestrogen patches not adhering or working properly, which has caused … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand The native kakī or black stilt bird. Supplied / Department of Conservation The Department of Conservation (DOC) is on the lookout for one of the world’s most endangered wetland birds, and asking local farmers and landowners to help. The native kakī or black stilt birds mostly call Mackenzie Basin’s braided rivers … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf Increased farmer confidence and spending has seen the country’s largest rural supply store, Farmlands, back in black. In its annual results released last week, Farmlands reported a profit after tax of $2.8 million for 2025. It comes after the co-operative reported a loss of $9.3m last year, with revenue down … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Some of Eketāhuna Museum’s volunteers (L-R) Bridget Ferguson, Ian Day, Jean O’Brien, Bruce Laurence, Chris Petersen and Rose-Marie McGhie RNZ/Sally Round The big work table in Eketāhuna’s former 1800s-era school is laden with curiosities from the past – an old pair of lace-up boots, opera glasses, a threadbare red coat, a … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Set on 800-hectares in the Waimai Valley, north of Raglan, four generations of the Reeves family have farmed this land. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life Alastair Reeves’ father taught him that farmers can use genetics to solve problems. The Waimai Valley farmer is carrying on the line of Romney sheep his … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand At 106 metres long and 30 metres wide and with room for up to 120 cows, the multi-million dollar build is the largest research facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Supplied At 106 metres long and 30 metres wide and with room for up to 120 cows, the Livestock … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf / Supplied images The head of Fonterra says it has been difficult for its brands to compete in global markets after shareholders voted in support of the the sale of its major brands, including Mainland and Anchor, to French dairy giant Lactalis. More than 88 percent of the votes cast … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Katie Todd One week since a wind storm tore through the country’s south, some Clutha district farmers say the financial hit could be harsher than they originally feared. Suzie Roy said after a week without power – trying to hold her stock in with kilometres of boundary fencing flattened … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Craig Piggott and the ‘smart cow’ halter supplied Technology company Halter has replaced around 30 tall transmission towers vital to its virtual farm fencing systems, after they were knocked down by last week’s storms. By Labour weekend, there were 70 South Island farms affected by disruptions to the virtual, fence-less systems … Read more