CountryWide Connect - Show Summary

From Federated Farmers president to sitting around the Cabinet table, Andrew Hoggard has had a front-row seat to the shift from advocacy into Government. Today we discuss life inside Parliament, biosecurity threats, wilding pines and whether farmers are finally starting to feel some regulatory relief.

After helping shape leadership across rural New Zealand for more than 16 years, the Agri Women’s Development Trust is winding up operations. Keri Johnston joins us to discuss the decision, the legacy of AWDT and what comes next for rural leadership development.

We begin this interview with an exclusive announcement on CountryWide Connect this morning, with Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager confirming a new commercial game preserve will open in Hawke’s Bay from the 2027 hunting season. The new 286-hectare Te Konini site is expected to increase hunting access, support rural jobs and strengthen hunting traditions in regional New Zealand. We’ll also discuss the wider role of the Minister for the South Island and the pressures and opportunities facing provincial New Zealand.

Waitaki MP Miles Anderson came into Parliament from Federated Farmers and now finds himself representing one of the country’s key rural electorates during a period of major political and economic pressure for farmers. With former senior Labour minister Damien O’Connor expected to contest the seat, we discuss the political battle ahead, the mood in rural New Zealand and whether farmers believe the Government is delivering.

It’s now 15 years since Australia suspended live cattle exports to Indonesia following shocking animal welfare footage that changed the industry forever. Today, the sector is rebuilding ties with one of its most important markets while also fighting a wider battle around public trust, nutrition and the future image of red meat.

It’s now 15 years since Australia suspended the live cattle export trade to Indonesia after shocking footage exposed animal welfare failures inside an Indonesian abattoir. Today, Australia’s red meat industry is again trying to strengthen its relationship with one of its biggest and fastest-growing export markets, while at the same time NZ and Australian red meat groups are working together on science-led nutrition messaging and consumer trust. Australian rural broadcaster Libby Price joins us to discuss the changing battle for public confidence around red meat, animal welfare and food production.

Craig Hattle takes over as Chair of NZ Farm Assurance at a time when international pressure around traceability, animal welfare and consumer trust continues to intensify. We discuss where assurance systems are heading and whether farmers are facing compliance overload.

The Government is reshaping New Zealand’s science system while agriculture remains central to the country’s economic future. Fresh from the Out the Gate conference, Dr John Roche joins us to discuss methane, farming innovation, public trust in science and the changing direction of science funding.

Australia and New Zealand face many of the same farming pressures, but often take very different approaches to regulation, markets and production systems. Tony Leggett joins us to compare the two countries and where each may have the advantage.

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