Food firms like Pic’s Peanut Butter have helped chip in $139m taking total investment to quarter of a billion dollars.
The Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund is contributing $8.98m to a $22.23m project to investigate plantain’s potential to help farmers protect waterways and improve freshwater quality.
Forest & Bird has won a High Court legal decision confirming tarakihi catch limit decisions must put sustainability before the commercial interests of the fishing industry.
NZ Apples and Pears Inc is encouraging apple industry employers to draw on new government funding to keep their workers employed during the winter season.
The High-Value Nutrition Ko Ngā Kai Whai Painga National Science Challenge has provided a $50,000 development grant to Hastings-based research and project management collaborator Foot Steps to investigate the Damson plum.
The industry needs to convert the equivalent energy used by one or two very large dairy factories every year to meet the 2050 net zero emissions goal.
The Climate Change Commission’s final report has been met with mixed reaction from food industry groups.
A clinical trial that could underpin the development of deer milk as a new industry in New Zealand has secured $244,000 of funding from the HVN Challenge.
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation ministers responsible for trade have acknowledged the need for action to address trade tariffs in the agricultural sector at the 12th World Trade Organisation ministerial conference.
Covid-19 has highlighted the dependence of parts of the fishing sector on foreign workers, says the government.
New whitebaiting rules will help preserve stocks of the delicacy, says acting conservation minister Ayesha Verrall.
Trade minister Damien O’Connor will lead a ‘virtual’ trade mission to Japan this week to promote New Zealand’s relationship with one of its largest trading partners.
Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison have concluded their meeting at the resort – was there anything in it for food and beverage?
Can the country’s food exporters learn lessons from another sector heavily exposed to a single source of income?
The Overseas Investment Office has given the green-light to the sale of a New Plymouth goat farm to a partnership owned by descendants of American Peter H Kuyper.
NZ’s strict controls are a double-edged sword for global food companies looking to invest, says Gelita.
Te Kete Haumaru Kai – the Food Safety Kit – pilot has been launched at Moerewa’s Te Rito Marae, by minister for food safety Dr Ayesha Verrall.
Consumers are becoming more aware of their rights and more sceptical of information provided by salespeople, according to a government survey.
A new public-private partnership has been launched to improve access to digital technology and training for small businesses, to take advantage of new opportunities through e-commerce.
The government has passed the Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill, doubling employees’ minimum sick leave entitlement to 10 days each year.
The Ticker talks to industry leaders for their take on the government’s Budget 2021.
Finance minister Grant Robertson says a new transformation plan is being developed for the food and beverage sector.
Industry players want today’s Budget to support them through the transition to a post-Covid environment.
The Singapore-based cultured food startup has reached out to NZ food regulators ahead of its planned product launch.
The pandemic has highlighted NZ’s reliance on temporary migrant labour, says the government.
Parliament’s Primary Production Committee has initiated a select committee inquiry into the future of the workforce needs in the country’s primary industries.
With even institutional investors wanting green metrics, there has been a convergence of mainstream and impact investment in the agrifoodtech community.
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern will lead a trade mission to Australia in early July.
The government has established six new Workforce Development Councils, including one for people, food and fibre. to support the vocational education system.
The Government is set to introduce new legislation to restrict merchant fees, in a move which could save businesses up to $74m each year.
An initiative which allows Māori businesses to identify themselves Māori business on the New Zealand Business Number register has gone live.
The former Unilever CEO declares the world’s food system “broken from all dimensions” – but also suggests ways of fixing it.
MPI is seeking more applicants from the food sector for SFF Futures funding.
But there are concerns over the costs of the scheme for employers.
Described as the biggest food and fibre event of the year, the Boma NZ Agri Summit kicks-off in Christchurch this morning.
The Ticker sits down with Finistere’s investment manager to find out what NZ opportunities he will be looking for.
Kiwi exporters are operating in a turbulent environment but food exporters are proving a bright spot, says trade minister Damien O’Connor.
The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand is calling for a trade deal with the UK which comprehensively removes agricultural tariffs.
Organics Aotearoa New Zealand is urging its member to attend upcoming Ministry for Primary Industries organic regulation and standards workshops.
Aotearoa risks being left behind by its international peers in the increasingly competitive emerging protein sector.
CEDA boss Linda Stewart on how AgriFood Week supports Manawatu’s ambition to be one of the world’s top three agrihubs by 2025.
Nomination’s have opened for the annual award with new categories for 2021.
The gathering shellfish is no longer permitted at east Auckland’s Cockle Bay/Tuwakamana beach.
Delegates from around the country are converging on the Manawatu for the 2021 New Zealand Agrifood Week.
The Cawthron Institute to work with Fisheries NZ and DOC on assessment.
OIO approves T&G Global purchase of an 11-hectare Hawke’s Bay site to grow more Envy apples.
A Taiwan-listed multinational pharmaceutical company is to invest $3.5m to convert a Waikato dairy farm to goat milk production.
The Environmental Protection Authority is calling for information on the use of the herbicide glyphosate in New Zealand in a move that could have ramifications for New Zealand $490m honey MORE »
Researchers and campaigners call on government to use plan to halve food waste by 2030.
The supermarket giant says it is “surprised” at the allegations because it values its suppliers.
The government’s probe into the $21bn grocery sector heats up as rivals open fire in cross-submissions.
The dumping of frozen fries from Europe is not a threat to local industry, says a draft government report.
Gaining brand awareness and establishing relationships are the top barriers Kiwi food and beverage exporters face.
The fishing companies have thrown their support behind a new project using drones to help efforts to bring the species back from the edge of extinction.
“The Government has invested 18 months of work into figuring out how a container return scheme would work, but unfortunately vested industry groups are pushing hard to exclude glass from the scheme.”
Cafe workers, fast food cooks and kitchen hands are now on the Government’s oversupply list for all regions except Queenstown Lakes and Mackenzie Districts.
The vehicle has attracted a $14m commitment from New Zealand Growth Capital Partners.
The funding will see the functional drink company deep dive into indigenous ingredients.
The Government must act now to retain remaining highly productive land for fruit and vegetables.
A strategy is in the pipeline to help accelerate an already-booming industry.
The project will reduce the factory’s carbon emissions by 7%.
The Government will phase out the export of livestock by sea.
Seafood NZ argues that law changes to reduce recreational bag limits must be made.
A new plant-based ice cream is one of five business start-ups moving through to the final stage of Venture Taranaki’s business accelerator, the PowerUp Ideas Competition.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking feedback on proposals to amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice.
NZ’s ministerial engagement in the trans-Tasman GE Food Standards approval process has been silenced, says GE Free NZ.
The results of survey will feed into ComCom’s probe of the country’s $21bn grocery sector.
The government has moved to ban new low to medium temperature coal burners from next year.
Chief executive Julie White said the extension would help struggling businesses find trained staff.
The government is continuing to plough money and resources into the food and fibre workforce.
The industry association says horticulture can play a key role in the country’s climate change strategy.
The chief executive of Kiwifruit Vine Health is leaving the biosecurity organisation after three years to take up a top job with the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Temporary Covid-19 immigration powers will be extended to May 2023, in part to help industries facing labour shortages.
The plant protein startup secures $8m from MPI for a five-year R&D programme.
The no take zone does not affect the availability of Bluff oysters.
The industry group says there are “limits to what the sector can continue to achieve”.
Restaurant Association of New Zealand is opposing a proposed ban on new gas or LPG connections by 2025.
If passed, the legislation would require that all aircrafts entering NZ provide biosecurity information to people onboard by both a video and in writing.
The seafood industry promises constructive engagement on some of the report’s “challenging” recommendations.
Forest and Bird has accused the inshore tarakihi fishing industry of failing to adhere to voluntary measures it promised in a 2019 tarakihi catch limit deal.
The association fears new housing policy will see productive growing land lost to urban creep.
Ngāti Hei Trust has asked the government to close parts of the eastern Coromandel coast for two years.
The Government has introduced a wellbeing support package for hard-hit fruit growers.
The Government is “failing to stop the suffering of hundreds of millions of chickens”, says animal rights group SAFE.
Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance has been established to increase food security and reduce food waste.
The Government is failing to support New Zealand’s horticulture sector as it faces a worker shortage crisis, according to the National Party.
The Government has deferred the introduction of Intensive Winter Grazing practice regulations for a year.
Our Seas Our Future is calling on prime minister Jacinda Ardern to ban single-use paper and plastic products.
Whitebait farming could soon become a reality with a $7m project garnering government support.
Organic food businesses will have to take part in a five-step process in order to gain organic certification under new proposals.
The supermarket giant is already seeing a reversal in some lockdown shopping trends – with others becoming more entrenched.
“Hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for apple, wine and other growers was a near certainty.”
The Brewers Association of New Zealand is calling on the Government to half the rate of excise tax paid on kegs.
The Green Party is calling on the Government to urgently stop “dirty, degrading fishing practices” in areas most vulnerable to destruction.
The Organic Products Bill is going through its final stages in parliament.
In its submission to ComCom, the NZFGC says there is also considerable use of buyer power to exclude competition.
The Government has activated the Resurgence Support Payment, in its latest round of Covid-19 support packages.
Ongoing strong demand and expansion into new markets could see another successful year for NZ honey exports.
Immigration New Zealand is doing more harm than good when it comes to the horticulture sector and the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, according to the ACT Party. “A completely inflexible MORE »
The Government has eased visa restrictions for visitors already in New Zealand as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause havoc overseas.
The sector had brought a claim for $450m plus interest.
Horticulture New Zealand is calling on the Government to establish protection for highly productive land.
The industry body aired its frustrations at a committee meeting on Thursday.
The shape and funding of the national network, which has helped brands like Otis Oat Milk, is under review.
The ministry warns that ComCom’s market study of supermarkets is likely to take longer than a year.
The Future Ready Farms programme is being led by Ballance Agri-Nutrients.
New research backed by MPI could help bee hives live longer and be more efficient.
Stuart Nash says smaller businesses are predominantly bearing the brunt of merchant service fees.
It was India’s participation that made the deal attractive to start with, which is no more.
Online tool identifies pests, threats for exporters selling Kiwi produce to the world
The government sets supplier diversity target for its $42bn goods and services budget.
It follows new food safety guidance issued by the government.
The new research covers food groups ranging from seafood to berries.
Up to $200 a week for accommodation costs is on offer, plus a $1000 payment for some.
Growers are relieved by the government’s announcement that a cohort of Registered Seasonal Employer workers will arrive in the New Year.
Horticulture and wine growers across the country will see labour shortages ease.
In a blow to the horticulture sector, the PM says this year’s seasonal labour shortage will not be solved before Christmas.
A $13m funding boost has seen a new aquaculture facility open in Tauranga which will explore the various benefits of green seaweed, a prominent pest in the local harbour. As MORE »
The Australian government says it will give Kiwi workers $2000 to take up a short-term contract there.
Harrington’s Smallgoods is urging the Government to make country-of-origin labelling a priority.
The Commerce Commission will conduct the investigation to see if Kiwis are paying more than they should be.
Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand’s primary industries will “directly benefit” from the new trade deal.
It’s the first of around 100 PGF loans and equity investments worth over $600m to be paid back.
Horticulture New Zealand says it is keen to work constructively with the new Government, including minister Damien O’Conner who has been given the new trade and export growth portfolio.
With the likes of Sir David Attenborough advocating for it, plant-based eating is becoming less of a trend, and more of a to-do.
David Parker has been appointed minister of the newly named Ministry for Oceans and Fisheries, formerly known as the Ministry of Fisheries.
It was announced yesterday by Jacinda Ardern that the title would be changed.
Tairāwhiti’s Wi Pere Trust is receiving a PDU loan from the latest round of Provincial Growth Funding.
An iwi-owned Taranaki food processing company has secured a $1.2m Provincial Growth Fund loan to expand its operations to Whanganui.
Fonterra has posted an after tax profit of $659m for the year to July 2020, a $1.3bn turnaround from the $605m loss it made the previous year.
Economic activity across Auckland and the country has bounced back to levels experienced under Covid-19 alert level 1, says finance minister Grant Robertson.
A new hub for budding food businesses in the Nelson region has launched. The Food Factory aimed to provide entrepreneurs with a collaborative environment to develop their products, under-secretary for MORE »
