Damien O'connor
M bovis: D-day for dairy, beef farmers as cull call looms
Dairy and beef farmers find out today whether the Government will try to eradicate the cattle-disease Mycoplasma Bovis, or instead go for containment. Audio
Govt to crack down on farmers flouting animal tracking
The Government's getting tougher on farmers as the Mycoplasma Bovis disease spreads. It's going to enforce the animal tracking system it says the previous Government neglected to do - and some farmers… Audio
M Bovis: 60,000 cows 'under scrutiny' - Damien O'Connor
Stressed farmers are turning on each other as officials struggle to contain the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis. "These are hard decisions that have to be made... Relying on farmers' memory &… Audio
Govt unveils review of $18b dairy industry
The shape of a major review of the dairy industry has just been revealed by the Agriculture Minister. Damien O'Connor says the legislation governing Fonterra - passed 17 years ago, is to be… Audio
M bovis eradication may cost farmers hundreds of millions
Farmers may have to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to fight the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis. The government and the farming industry have been locked in debate for weeks over the fairest way… Audio
Cattle and oysters: a catalogue of issues: Damien O'Connor
Minister for Agriculture and Biosecurity Damien O'Connor speaks with Kathryn Ryan about the cattle cull on 28 affected farms, will take place by end of May. The Minister has acknowledged the failures… Audio
Stalled RCEP trade pact raises questions about NZ involvement
Negotiations to establish a massive Asian trade pact appear to be going backwards with some now questioning whether New Zealand should pull out. The latest round of the Regional Comprehensive Economic… Audio
Stink bug forces three ships from NZ ports
Three ships carrying up to 12,000 cars in total have been turned away from the country's ports because of a noxious pest called the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. The insects were found on all levels of… Audio
Minister meets with drought-hit farmers
The Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor has been meeting with farmers at Reefton on the West Coast today. Audio
New standard set for mānuka honey
The Ministry for Primary Industries has released its definition for mānuka honey.
Insight: Turning the West Coast Around
Tracy Neal explores how the West Coast is planning to re-invent its economy. Audio
A sliver of relief
Almost two years ago 19-year-old Alex Renton was given special approval to use medicinal cannabis now his mother is fighting for others to have access. Audio
Battle for Maori seats heats up
Labour's process for rankings MPs and candidates is underway, with the final list expected to be made public sometime in May. The battle for the Maori seats is heating up, with the deal between Mana… Audio
The House of empathy and angst
A committee ruckus over Pike River Mine, the Christchurch fires, a confidence vote, and RNZ brings the begging bowl to its annual review. Audio
New open cast coalmine proposed near Westport
A coal mining consortium has restarted efforts to develop an open cast mine on Department of Conservation land in the lower Buller Gorge near Westport. Audio
Kaiteriteri beach
The beachfront at the immensely popular spot at the edge of the Abel Tasman is set to change, as a new two-storey building takes shape. The 5-million dollar development has angered some locals, and MP… Audio
Politicians look back on Kevin Ikin's career at RNZ
Today our colleague Kevin Ikin retires. Kevin's been bringing us the rural news for nearly thirty years. Here's the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy. Audio
Local MP concerned way Solid Energy has been managed
As we've been discussing this morning, Solid Energy is expected to announce today it will go into voluntary administration for two-and-a-half years. Audio
Price dive sparks questions about the global dairy auction
The plunge in global dairy prices to their lowest level in the seven-year history of the Global Dairy Trade auction has reignited fierce criticism of how the industry works. Audio
Ministry refit blows out to $400,000-plus
A government ministry refit at its Wellington head office has blown out - doubling to more than $400 000. Audio