Stories by Eric Frykberg
News
Kiwifruit growers could get huge payout from government
Kiwifruit growers are expected to get good news this morning from a court verdict over the spread of the vine killing disease PSA.
Electricity Authority pushes ahead with national grid pricing change
The Electricity Authority is standing its ground and pressing on with radical change to the way people pay for transmission of their electricity.
Mycoplasma bovis: Four of 10 experts recommended managing disease
A panel of experts set up to advise the government on the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis has provided more details on its narrow six-to-four vote in favour of phased eradication.
M bovis outbreak: Four new South Island farms infected
Four new South Island farms have been confirmed as infected with the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis.
Fonterra denies food safety issue for Chinese partner
Dairy giant Fonterra insists a new controversy involving partner company Beingmate is not an issue of food safety.
East Coast forestry: Replanting 'required' under contracts
Contractual obligations making it hard for forestry owners to pull out of the East Coast could leave farmers stuck with the hill plantations that have led to massive damage.
Many skippers accused of avoiding fisheries observers
The environmental lobby group Forest and Bird has accused many fishing boat skippers of wriggling out of oversight by an observer from the Ministry for Primary Industries, despite having a legal… Audio
Cattle cull reaches 24,500 in M bovis battle
New figures show 24,500 animals have been culled in the fight against the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis so far.
Farmers welcome further greenhouse gas discussions
Federated Farmers sees a silver lining in the government's latest proposals on climate change. Audio
No biosecurity concern over 55,000 seized cuttings - industry
MPI is seizing the fruit tree cuttings - imported from 2012 through to 2017 - because of defective paperwork but the nursery industry says it's just a bureaucratic error. Audio
Govt expects action over waterways
The government has made it clear that it expects regular progress reports from farmers after it released an action plan to improve water quality.
MPI says procedures changed since under-reported catch found
The Ministry for Primary Industries says its procedures have changed since a report in 2012 found faults with recording catch levels at the southern blue whiting fishery.
Solution for M bovis goes down to wire, expected to cost $1b
Wrangling over what to do about the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis is going down to the wire but whatever the solution, it is expected to cost about $1 billion Audio
New strain of rabbit calicivirus found in New Zealand
A new strain of the rabbit calicivirus has been confirmed in a single wild rabbit found on a Malborough farm.
Govt to unfetter cheese-making regulations
Artisan cheese-makers who have complained for years of unnecessary red tape are welcoming a government plan to relax the rules.
Stalled NZ phosphate shipment sets sail after a year
A shipment of phosphate has finally left a port in South Africa, a year after it was detained en route to New Zealand.
Fonterra milk buying guarantee may be relaxed
A review of New Zealand's dairy industry is likely to allow Fonterra to refuse to buy milk from dairy farmers, which it has been forced to do up until now. Audio
Multimillionaire trades boardrooms for remote NZ
A multi-millionaire from the highest levels of world commerce is hunkering down in one of the most remote parts of New Zealand.
Ministry for Primary Industries gets first big shake-up
A crack biosecurity intelligence squad tasked with tracking dangerous insects has launched as part of a Ministry for Primary Industries shake-up.
Morocco's charm offensive to protect phosphate sale to NZ
The Moroccan authorities have mounted a charm offensive in New Zealand to protect their vital phosphate trade with this country. Audio
New DoC protections for endangered fish only optional
New guidelines to help protect endangered New Zealand fish suggest clearing blockages in waterways - but this is only optional.
NZ losing 192 million tonnes of soil every year
A new report has found New Zealand is losing 192 million tonnes of soil every year from erosion.
Fonterra 'named and shamed' over invoice payments
Fonterra's pledge to pay bills more promptly is being welcomed by trucking companies but they say far more is needed.
Rural mental health group says govt rebuffed call for cash
A rural-based suicide prevention scheme will grind to a halt in June after its organisers were rebuffed in their quest for more money to pay for it.
High Court to consider project to mine ironsands
A project to mine ironsands from off the South Taranaki coast will be considered by the High Court in Wellington today.