Stories by Monique Steele
News
'Govt keen to see more activity in mining sector' - Shane Jones
New fast-track consenting legislation will allow projects like a large gold mine in Central Otago to go ahead more quickly, while ensuring environmental protections are in place, the Minister for…
Company says it's made biggest NZ gold discovery in decades
A mining company is telling investors swathes of high-grade gold could rest beneath remote farmland.
Rare penguin released off West Coast after rehab
A lucky female tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin has been returned to the wild off the West Coast this week after a scrape with danger
Wool storage almost at full capacity in North Island
With the new season of shearing now underway, it is expected things will get worse.
Cost of living means slow start to Xmas tree season - grower
Christmas tree nurseries are gearing up for the festive season with the first week of selling trees underway.
New Zealand's challenge in cutting water contaminants revealed in study
While E coli was the stand-out across three-quarters of all land in Aotearoa, Canterbury needs to reduce nitrogen by 44 percent, and Southland by 41 percent, a new report says.
Canterbury farmers help protect endangered kororā in penguin colony
A farming family in Banks Peninsula is playing its part in protecting the largest little penguin colony on mainland New Zealand.
Who's who: The new primary industry sector ministers
Todd McClay, Nicola Grigg, Andrew Hoggard and Mark Patterson are among the line-up of ministers for the primary industry sectors.
Egg producers hope for a cracking 2024 as prices finally descend
Egg producers are hopeful prices have peaked and the egg shortage of early-2023 will soon be a distant memory.
Log export prices firm as sales to China pick up
Prices for log exports are slowly improving, but a forestry consultant says the sector must find new international markets to reduce its reliance on China.
NZ onion industry celebrates 'significant step' in exporting to China
The onion industry is celebrating a step closer to getting its produce into China but there was still a "little bit of work" to get there.
Juken mill closure: Dozens lose jobs as demand for pine products falls
The forestry company has decided to close its Gisborne mill - with 60 workers set to lose their jobs before Christmas.
Future of gene tech likely focus for National-led government
The future of controversial gene technologies are expected to be top of agenda for the incoming National-led government.
Wonky Box eyes South Island expansion
South Island growers may soon have a new way to sell their wonky or ugly fruit and vegetables rejected by the supermarkets.
Hope blossoms at cyclone-hit cherry orchards in Hawke's Bay
Cherry trees are blossoming at a cyclone-damaged orchard in Hawke's Bay, sparking hopes for a good harvest for Christmas.
Global honey glut leaves sour taste for health and wellbeing company
Me Today has been left with tonnes of liquid gold to shift.
Fertiliser prices tipped to rise if Middle East war spreads
Fertiliser prices are coming off the boil, but the conflict in Gaza has thrown uncertainty into the market.
Charity calls on government to better support virtual learning systems for rural schools
An educational charity is calling on the government to do more to help rural high school students succeed.
Hawke's Bay council delays possum control programme
It is going to be another five years at least before local authorities in Hawke's Bay pay for professional possum hunters to knock back the pest's population.
Rural students face bigger climb to enter university
New research has laid bare the challenges rural high school students face getting into tertiary education, compared to city students.
Southland Rural Support Trust given $20,000 to distribute after September flooding
Farmers and growers across parts of the lower South Island hit by last month's storm are being urged to reach out for help if they need it.
Testing time ahead for NZ agri-business, report predicts
A challenging year ahead for New Zealand agri-business is predicted in a new rural banking report.
NZ cannabis company now exporting strains around the world
A medicinal cannabis company says illogical legislation has stopped it supplying product for New Zealand patients and it's exporting its East Coast strains around the world instead.
Strawberry grower facing shortage of plants turns to vege production
Heavy rainfall destroyed around four million young plants at the country's three main propagators at Bay of Plenty nurseries earlier this year.