Stories by Alexa Cook
News
$12m for tourism infrastructure like a 'damp tea towel on a bonfire' - farmers
Freedom campers are going onto private farmland, leaving rubbish and faeces, disrupting stock work and leaving gates open - and Federated Farmers says more needs to be done and fast.
Honey crop beleaguered by bad weather
A Hawke's Bay beekeeper says it is the worst season for honey production that he has seen in over 20 years.
NZ wool brokers worried the worst is yet to come
The New Zealand wool market has limped along this season and, with Donald Trump now officially US president, wool brokers are worried the worst is yet to come.
North Otago farmer sickened by vandalism
A farmer who had about $40,000 worth of irrigator tyres slashed thinks the act of vandalism is designed to send a message about irrigation in the Mackenzie Country.
Silver Fern Farms payout 'used as a sweetener'
Silver Fern Farms' dividend of 30 cents per share will be a one-off because it was only used to sweeten a deal with a Chinese company, according to one shareholder.
Call for safe farming in most dangerous period
It is the peak time of year for injuries in agriculture - one of New Zealand's most dangerous occupations - and WorkSafe is urging farmers to be aware of new safety regulations. Audio
Farmers' confidence in beef and lamb drops
A new report shows that farmers' confidence in the Beef and Lamb sector has dipped 11 percent down to 32 percent in the past four months, driven by uncertainty in sheep meat markets.
2500km trek to try to save Kaimanawa horses
Louise McNutt is riding two Kaimanawa horses from Cape Reinga to Bluff to try and save the breed from slaughter at the biennial muster. The 30-year-old from Central Hawke's Bay...
Export forecast for primary sector down slightly
The latest situation and outlook report for the primary sector is forecasting a drop in export revenue for the year to June 2017.
Nothing has changed and govt won't listen, cheesemakers say
Raw milk cheesemaker Biddy Fraser-Davies says she's still losing hundreds of dollars a week because nothing has changed since she went to Parliament to fight for fairer regulations.
Shearer drug-testing mooted
The shearers' association says there is a problem with drugs in the industry, but it is hard to measure because testing is not widespread.
Worst asparagus season in 10 years
One asparagus grower has had to lay off nearly half of his staff after a wet and cold spring affected the quality and production of produce this season.
China's market for NZ wool quietens
The Chinese have disappeared from the wool market, leaving producers and companies worried about sinking prices, a broker says.
Rural quake damage tipped at $40m
Rural insurance company FMG has received about 700 insurance claims from 500 businesses.
Farmers relieved to get milk picked up
Dairy farmers in Kaikōura have had their milk picked up this morning for the first time since the 7.8 earthquake three weeks weeks ago.
Landcorp farms likely to stay NZ-owned, agent says
The first of 10 Landcorp farms for sale will probably go to New Zealanders, the real estate company handling the sale says.
Westland Milk suppliers consider options
A dairy farmer who supplies Westland Milk Products says Canterbury suppliers might jump ship because the co-operative is not paying enough.
Farmers given green light to bypass consents in quake aftermath
New emergency earthquake legislation will allow farmers to get on with patching up their farms without worrying about red tape.
Fatty lamb back in fashion
A new research project aims to condition ewes and lambs to have higher levels of omega-3 fat.
Quake-hit Kaikōura farmers rely on fire trucks for water
Kaikōura farmers whose land has widespread damage are having to rely on water delivery from local fire trucks.
Farmers having to fly supplies to remote properties themselves
A farming group is using planes and helicopters to drop supplies to remote farms cut off by road by last week's earthquake, saying authorities have been frustratingly slow.
Quake highlights communication issues on the farm
Keeping communication channels open has been a real problem for rural areas hit by last week's quake, says Federated Farmers.
Young farmers to the rescue in quake-hit communities
A group of young farmers are out in force to help rural communities cut-off by Monday's massive earthquake.
Cut-off farmers calling out for help
Farmers cut off by Monday's earthquake are frustrated that helicopters have been flying over them without stopping.
Rural community hit hard by quake
Monday's quake has hit the rural community hard, leaving farmers without power and affecting vineyards in the busy bottling period.