Apr 06, 2018 - Infestations of Harlequin ladybirds in the Gisborne district could pose a threat to the horticulture and viticulture industries. The invasive species from Asia was first reported to the Ministry of Primary Industries in Auckland in 2016 and has since been found in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki regions. It has also been discovered at Te Karaka and in the Matokitoki Valley.

Apr 06, 2018 - New Zealand’s umbrella rural health organisation will move to shut down if it does not receive government funding next week. The Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ) today agreed that it will cease operating should the government not provide some core funding support. RHAANZ first presented a funding bid to the Minister of Rural Communities Damien O’Connor and the Minister of Health David Clark back in November last year and due to unfortunate delays on their behalf, it still does not have an answer, chief executive Michelle Thompson says. “Our financial situation is now precarious. There are more than 600,000 people living in rural New Zealand, equivalent of easily being the country’s second largest city. “We feed New Zealanders three times a day, not with junk food, but with good quality protein, fresh fruit and vegetables. One in every five dollars generated in the economy either directly, or indirectly, comes from the agri-food sector. “Yet it does not feel like we get anywhere near this level of resourcing or attention. “The endless gnawing away at services for rural communities has to stop. Rural Kiwis have lost their hospitals and schools. We are facing under-funded health services, emergency services, midwives and airports.” Thompson and chair Martin London will meet O’Connor next Thursday to discuss the government’s funding offer. Thompson say for the last five years RHAANZ has become a leading health voice for New Zealand’s communities. “RHAANZ has a vital function in bringing a cross-sector rural health, rural industry and rural community voice to both enunciate rural health issues and to identify and resource solutions. “For the organisation to disappear from the scene, at a time when rural health itself is as precarious as ever, would be a terrible loss of goodwill, synergy and expertise. “There are only two other national rural health alliances in the world and both have received central funding in recognition of their value to both government and communities. New Zealand needs to follow that lead,” Thompson says.

| A Make Lemonade release  |  ||  April 06, 2018   |||

Apr 05, 2018  -  Lyttelton Port Co workers belonging to the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) will begin striking again later this month as the union and maritime hub operator remain in dispute over pay and rosters

Apr 05, 2018  -  The Prime Minister will be meeting with leaders of France, Germany and Britain while travelling to Europe next week, in hopes of "moving towards the launch of FTA negotiations with the EU" and Britain. Jacinda Ardern says an independent body could "unlock the impasse” over the nurses union’s rejection of two per cent pay rise from DHB's.

Apr 05, 2018  - ASX-listed autoparts maker Bapcor has exited the last of the leftover Hellaby Holdings assets it didn't want with the sale of industrial asset maintenance firm TBS Group for $35 million, reaping more from the divestments than flagged

Continue here to full release    |  ||  April 05, 2018   |||

Apr 05, 2018  - New Zealand carpet maker Cavalier Corp is emerging from a “tough” period after an influx of cheaper synthetics forced it to restructure its business to compete. It has now streamlined its operations and with most of the pain now behind it, is stepping up investment in innovation and marketing as it eyes rising consumer demand for natural woollen products.

Apr 05, 2018  -  New Zealand’s biggest architectural firm Jasmax is laying off staff and has seen its managing partner resign from the company

Apr 05, 2018  -  Synlait Milk (NZX: SML; ASX: SM1) has secured a multiyear lactoferrin supply agreement[1] that will underwrite an investment of approximately $18 million to double lactoferrin manufacturing capacity at Synlait Dunsandel.

Apr 05, 2018  - Te Hiku Iwi opposes bringing forestry rights into the Overseas Investment screening regime, arguing they will have a material impact on the value of their land and compromise their ability to attract overseas partners

Apr 05, 2018  -  The New Zealand dollar rose above 73 US cents for the first time in more than a week, and touched a three-week high, as a pickup in consumer confidence, a bigger-than-expected budget surplus and rising property values underlined the relative strength of