NZ Engine

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government is backing the grassroots work of Rural Women New Zealand – the people who support and connect rural families, communities, and businesses across the country.

Budget 2025 includes a $250,000 investment for the 2025/26 financial year to help the organisation expand its reach during its centenary year and continue its vital role supporting rural families and communities.

“If agriculture is the backbone of the New Zealand economy, then rural women are its beating heart,” Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg says.

“Rural women are at the heart of our rural economy – they lead businesses, care for families, and hold communities together.

“By backing Rural Women New Zealand, we’re investing in the strength and resilience of the rural sector itself. This is about ensuring women have the resources and support they need to lead their communities into the next century.”

Founded in 1925, the organisation has stood the test of time by adapting to the evolving needs of rural women and their communities.

“Rural Women New Zealand has been a backbone of rural life for 100 years,” Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson says.

“This funding will support the important work they do every day – helping connect people to services, building strong local networks, and advocating for rural voices to be heard.”

Source: NZSA

Applications are now open for the CLNZ | NZSA Research Grants to help writers research a fiction or non-fiction writing project.

Kua tuwhera ināianei ngā tono mō ngā Karāti Rangahau o te CLNZ | NZSA hei āwhina atu māu e rangahau tō hinonga, tō kōrero paki, tō kōrero pono rānei.

Four grants valued at $5,000 each are available to New Zealand writers.

One of the grants targets diverse writers and topics, including writers from, and writing about, parts of Aotearoa that are not broadly represented in writing and publishing, and projects on issues or subjects that are topical in present day Aotearoa.

E whā ngā karāti, e $5,000 te wāriu o ia karāti, ā, e wātea ana aua mea ki ngā kaituhi o Aotearoa.

E aro pū ana tētahi o ngā karāti ki ngā kaituhi kanorau me ngā kaupapa kanorau, tae ana ki ngā kaituhi i ahu mai ai i, e tuhi nei hoki mō ngā wāhi o Aotearoa me uaua ka kitea i roto i ngā tuhinga, i roto hoki i te ao tā pukapuka, ā, tae ana ki ngā hinonga e pā ana ki ngā take o te wā, ki ngā kaupapa o te wā rānei nō roto mai o Aotearoa onāianei.

These are brought to you by Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) and the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) as part of the CLNZ Cultural Fund.

Previous recipients comment on how the grant has helped them
Kerry Sunderland received a recent grant for her book project: Deathwalker’s Guide to Life: how exploring death can help you live life more fully.

“The CLNZ|NZSA Research Grant has proved to be invaluable in the writing of a book inspired by my radio show and podcast, Deathwalker’s Guide to Life. The grant has not only enabled me to dive back into the 31 episodes I’ve already produced (by generating transcripts from my audio files), it’s also helped me identify where there are gaps, so I can conduct more interviews. In the book, I am weaving together the stories, wisdom, and practical advice my interviewees have shared, while reckoning with the repercussions of my own death denial in the past. Part memoir, part personal essay and part people profiles, readers will be encouraged to face their fears, empowered to embrace their own mortality, and supported to communicate more openly and honestly with their loved ones.”
Lauren Keenan (Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki) was a recent grant recipient for her project Rākau: The Lost Tree.

“This Grant enabled me to spend more time visiting the historical sites I write about in my book and do high-quality research. This has, in turn, greatly enriched my manuscript.”

Rākau: The Lost Tree is a middle-grade novel about the New Zealand wars and will be the sequel to Lauren’s children’s book Amorangi and Millie’s Trip Through Time, about Taranaki’s history.

Want to Apply?

While a broad range of fiction and non-fiction writing projects are eligible for these grants, some works and projects are excluded so please check the guidelines carefully.

First: 

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government is tackling the spread of wilding pines and backing rural resilience with a 20 per cent increase in funding this year – taking the total direct investment this coming year to $12 million. 
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay, and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the Government is focused on protecting the productive heart of New Zealand’s economy. 
“Wilding pines cost the rural community significantly and are often the bane of farmers lives, we have an obligation to work with them to control their spread, and reduce on farm burden,” Mr McClay says.
“This additional $2 million funding ensures those working to contain wildings over the next year can stay ahead of the spread. It’s a smart investment in rural productivity, land management, and our long-term rural resilience.”
More than two million hectares are affected by wilding infestations, with untreated areas expanding by an estimated five per cent each year. Left unchecked, the economic impact could reach $3.6 billion over 50 years.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says wilding pines threaten our farmland, water catchments, native biodiversity, and increase the risk of wildfires. They take over productive land, drain vital groundwater, and choke out native species.
“Since 2016, the Government has invested more than $150 million into the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, alongside more than $33 million contributed by partners and communities,” Mr Hoggard says.
“This year’s investment continues to support the people doing the work – regional councils, iwi, farmers, researchers, and volunteers – who are making a real difference across ten priority regions.
“We’ve pushed back some of the worst infestations and protected key landscapes. This funding keeps that momentum going and gives landowners the tools to protect and restore productive land.”
The programme is led by Biosecurity New Zealand and delivered in partnership with councils, landowners, iwi, industry, and community groups.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government is backing farmers to lift on-farm productivity and improve land management through investment in catchment groups that support practical, locally-led solutions.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environment and Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says Budget 2025 commits $36 million over four years through MPI’s On Farm Support team—including $4.3 million for long-standing groups and new regional projects.
“This funding supports farmer-led groups that are already delivering real results on the ground—improving water quality and land management, and helping farmers adapt to changing conditions,” Mr McClay says.
“It includes $2.8 million in 2025/26 to extend funding for six established groups and the New Zealand Landcare Trust, giving them certainty to keep delivering trusted programmes in their communities.”
The groups receiving continued support include Thriving Southland, Rangitīkei Rivers Catchment Collective, Wai Wānaka, Hurunui District Landcare Group, Eastern Plains, and King Country River Care.
Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says the Government is also investing in two new regional projects to expand reach and impact.
“We’re putting $900,000 into the Karamu River Catchment Collective to support sub-catchment groups across the Heretaunga Plains, and $670,000 into the Piako Waihou Catchment Trust, which will deliver five demonstration sites focused on wetland restoration, waterway management, and the retirement of unproductive land,” Mr Hoggard says.
“Catchment groups are a practical way to empower farmers to collaborate, innovate, and share knowledge. Farmers know their land best—this investment gives them the tools and support to manage it in a way that boosts productivity and delivers long-term environmental gains.”

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government is investing in the wellbeing of rural communities through a new fund that backs practical, on-the-ground programmes designed to build resilience and support the 360,000 hard working men and women who power our primary sector. 
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says Budget 2025 provides $2 million over four years for a new contestable Rural Wellbeing Fund to back farmers to back themselves. 
“When rural communities thrive, all of New Zealand benefits. The food and fibre sector is the engine of our economy, and that means backing both production and the hardworking people who drive it,” Mr McClay says. 
Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson says the fund builds on the Government’s Budget 2025 investment of an extra $1 million over four years to boost the work of Rural Support Trusts and other providers that support farmers and growers. 
“This is about giving rural people the tools and connections they need to stay supported.
“Initiatives that bring people together through events, advice, or peer networks, are a key part of building long-term resilience across the sector,” Mr Patterson says. 
The fund will be administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries, with successful applicants selected by a governance group including industry representatives. 

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government is securing the backbone of rural New Zealand by supporting the volunteers and communities that bring A&P shows to life, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.Budget 2025 delivers $400,000 over four years to support more than 90 A&P shows across the country, providing each with a direct grant of $1,000 a year to help keep these iconic events running.
“A&P shows are a cornerstone of rural life — they help bridge the urban rural divide, celebrate farming success, showcase our world best food and fibre, and are powered almost entirely by local volunteers,” Mr McClay says.
“This is about backing the people behind the scenes who put in the hours to make these shows happen. Their work keeps communities connected and our rural culture alive.“When rural communities thrive, our whole country benefits. This is a practical investment in regional pride, rural resilience, and the communities that make our most productive sector stronger year after year,” Mr McClay says.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government is investing $246 million in a new fund over four years through Budget 2025 to supercharge growth and productivity in New Zealand’s world-leading food and fibre sector, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today.

The new Primary Sector Growth Fund (PSGF) replaces the former Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund and will focus on practical projects that reduce costs across the food and fibre sector value chain and deliver stronger returns on investment to the farm and forest gate.

The Fund will support projects that are business-led, market-driven, and commercially focused – with a clear aim of delivering strong economic outcomes and high growth potential.
“Every New Zealander depends on the success of the food and fibre sector – making up 80 per cent of our goods exports it powers our economy and puts food on our tables. Without agriculture and forestry, we would not be able to compete on the world stage,” Mr McClay says.

“That’s why the Government is moving at pace to increase farmgate returns, reduce compliance costs, implement smarter and better rules, and build resilience into rural communities.”

The PSGF refocuses MPI’s existing investment tools to back projects that drive higher-value outcomes across the food and fibre sector value chain – supporting the Government’s goal of doubling exports by value in 10 years and returning value to the farmgate.

“We’ll be working with the sector to find the best projects that help drive returns, including new high-value products, and providing practical tools for farmers and growers,” Mr McClay says.

“Projects that increase productivity and support the quality demanded by global consumers will remain a priority. As a trading nation, we need to enable initiatives that lift the bottom line, improve efficiency, and give our products a competitive edge in global markets.”

“This is about partnering with the sector to unlock real growth – helping producers, processors, and exporters to scale up, innovate, and deliver more value for the New Zealand economy,” Mr McClay says.

Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

Budget 2025 takes $12.8bn from low-income, female dominated workforces to prop up the Government’s failed economic policies, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

“The Government has promised this would be a growth budget, yet it has effectively cut the wages of low-income women workers. We know that one of the best ways to stimulate economic growth is by lifting wages – the Government is doing the opposite,” said Renney.

“The figures released today also showed that the number of people on Jobseekers Support is rising, and higher than forecast just last year. Real wage growth is lower than forecast last year – the Treasury itself says the Budget “lowers wage growth”. This is a Budget that is taking working people backwards.

“The Budget delivers more cuts to investment, including real terms cuts to early childhood education funding. New funding for learning support is largely being delivered by cutting funding from other programmes in education. Māori Development programmes have been cut significantly, as has funding from our media, culture, and heritage institutions.

“Promises made in health aren’t provided with new funding and the destruction of the pay equity process will mean we will continue to lose health workers to Australia, putting further stress on the system.

“Forecasts show we will continue to miss our child poverty targets over the next four years, and we will see thousands of families loose essential income due to cuts to Best Start and Working for Families. The Government is taking money from unemployed 18- and 19-year-olds, while investing nothing in action on climate change.

“Overall, this is a Budget that works by taking away from some of the poorest people in New Zealand, to fund tax cuts for multinationals, increased investment in corrections, the failed charter schools project, and more spending on defence.

“This is a Budget with its priorities all wrong – and working people will be paying the price,” said Renney.