Damien O'connor

After eight years and thirty rounds of negotiations, the government has put pen to paper on what has been called the world's largest free-trade agreement.

New Zealand is one of 15 Asia-Pacific… Audio

News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

Parts of the country grappling with a dry spring fear a lack of rain will lead to another serious drought this year.

A one-in-a-hundred-year drought hit regions like Northland and Hawke's Bay… Audio

The New Zealand Labour Party is wary of calls for Covid-free nations to provide workers for the coming summer fruit harvest. Audio

Farmers are worried the suspension of live cattle exports could have major ramifications for their industry.

Cattle exports were suspended last week following the capsizing and sinking of the Gulf… Audio

A Hawke's Bay farmer says the government's latest drought relief package - a $500,000 fund for advisory services - is a 'drop in the ocean' and will not go far to alleviating struggling farmers'… Audio

Farmers in Hawke's Bay say their problems with drought are becoming desperate, especially in the central and southern parts of the district.

Not only is there little grass available in the paddocks… Audio

We speak to former Speaker David Carter at home on his farm in Banks Peninsula and the Minister for Agriculture Damien O'Connor on his eight hectare lifestyle block in the Tasman district. Audio

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor has made a drought declaration that covers the entire North Island, parts of the South Island and the Chatham Islands and has allocated $2 million to help those… Audio

Droughts are likely to be declared in more regions as the big dry spreads further south and farmers continue to struggle with water shortages.

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor says sprinklings of… Audio

News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

The pea weevil has been declared to be eradicated from New Zealand, four years after it was first discovered in the Wairarapa.

The weevil feeds on and destroys fresh peas, and the eradication effort… Audio

The government is stepping in to help farmers hit by a drought in Northland and parts of Auckland.

The Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor says with a dry spell since November, and little rain… Audio

Dry conditions in Northland are raising fears that a drought may soon be declared in the region.

Farmers are increasingly worried about water and stock feed levels, with no heavy rain forecast for… Audio

Thousands of farmers, miners, forestry workers and West Coast residents have demanded the Government stop its one-size-fits-all approach to policy.

They rallied in Greymouth yesterday policies… Audio

Among the ten or so bills likely to be debated by Parliament this week, there are quite a few worth noting. The cheery overall themes are death, crime, and farming. 

New Zealand has finally secured an enhanced free trade deal with China, but there's not yet a dollar figure on the financial benefits for local exporters.

It will make it cheaper and easier for… Audio

Sheep placenta cream - ever heard of it?

The Thai Prime Minister has and referenced it while talking with Jacinda Ardern about their respective countries working more closely together on high value… Audio

Shane Jones has been told to apologise or resign over his comments towards the immigrant community, saying people unhappy should get on the next plane home.

RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson is… Audio

Jacinda Ardern has played down the prospect of a breakthrough in the seven-year long RCEP trade negotiations at the East Asia Summit.

India has been reported as the last hold-out to the Regional… Audio