Posts

Posted on

Growing future farmers: Taranaki students run their own farm

Source: Radio New Zealand

More than half of all students at Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth take a primary industries subject. Supplied/Francis Douglas Memorial College

A Taranaki high school is training the next generation of primary industry workers.

Nearly half of the 800 students at Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth take part in the school’s primary industries programme.

As part of the programme, students even run a native plant nursery and are contracted to produce 10,000 plants a year for South Taranaki District Council.

The school operates its own 20-hectare beef farm where students apply classroom learning directly on the land – from stock work and fencing to sustainability projects.

The programme, led by Aimee Watkins, spans agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries and sports turf, giving students pathways beyond traditional dairy.

Supplied/Francis Douglas Memorial College

Watkins said many students go straight into farm jobs or some kind of related studies at university.

“Agriculture is really, really big here. It’s a really important part of the whole school and it’s massively supported.

“We have our practical stream, they’ve got stock in the yards and they’re fencing, they’re spraying, all those sorts of things and then there’s the academic stream, so the agriscience, agribusiness kids as well.

“So they come through and do different things – whether it’s investigations or environment, sustainability, and it’s all teed up through their standards that they do.

“It’s a pretty full package being able to have the farm as well, so the kids are talking about it in class and then also doing it.

“It’s pretty special. It’s a pretty unique environment really for students.”

Gerard Kalin has been the manager of the Francis Douglas farm since July. Supplied/Francis Douglas Memorial College

Gerard Kalin, a former student of the college, has been the farm manager since July.

Recently the farm had Halter’s virtual fencing technology and smart cow collars installed, so Kalin had been walking students through that.

Supplied/Francis Douglas Memorial College

“Just last week we put the collars on 25 15-month-olds, so we’re a week into it,” he said.

“Again, we’ve integrated all the boys to put the collars on and do all the work around it, erecting the tower that was dug by the students.

Recently the Francis Douglas students have been learning about tech and installing Halter’s virtual fencing system and smart collar cow collars. Supplied/Francis Douglas Memorial College

“Moving forward, it’s going to be a great concept, I think. If we can integrate that knowledge or system, the boys will be a good product when they leave here.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Cricket: Key Black Cap Daryl Mitchell remains injury concern for rest of Windies series

Source: Radio New Zealand

Daryl Mitchell, after scoring a century in the opening ODI against the West Indies in Christchurch, November 2025. © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz

Black Caps batter Daryl Mitchell is set to miss at least the second ODI against the West Indies as he has a scan on a groin injury.

Mitchell suffered the injury while scoring a century in Sunday night’s seven-run win in game one in Christchurch.

Mitchell isn’t travelling to Napier with the rest of the squad, with Henry Nicholls added to the squad as cover.

Nicholls has been in good form for Canterbury in the domestic ODI competition, leading the run-scoring charts with 306 runs at 76.50, including back-to-back centuries against Otago and Auckland.

The Blackcaps are heading to Napier this afternoon, ahead of the second ODI against West Indies at McLean Park on Wednesday.

The final game in the serIes is in Hamilton on Saturday.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Greens pledge to revoke fast-track consents for coal, hard-rock gold, seabed mining projects

Source: Radio New Zealand

Green Party-co-leader Marama Davidson. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The Green Party is pledging to revoke consents for any coal, hardrock gold, or seabed mining projects granted under the fast-track regime, if it forms part of a government at the next election.

“Today, we are putting the Seabed mining, hardrock gold mining and coal mining industries – and their investors – on notice. Your fast-track consents are not safe, and they are not secure,” Green Party-co-leader Marama Davidson said.

The Greens have been warning they would revoke consents as far back as December 2024, when the initial fast-track bill passed its third reading.

Then, it was a pledge to revoke consents that “short-cut our democracy, side-step environmental protections and degrade te taiao.”

Now, it has named seven specific projects it would revoke consents or permits, even though they are yet to be issued.

Davidson said the Greens were making the announcement before consents were issued to “ensure complete transparency”.

Panels are currently considering the Taranaki VTM project by Trans Tasman Resources, which would extract up to 50 million tonnes of seabed a year in the South Taranaki Bight, and the Waihi North project by Oceana Gold, which would expand gold and silver mining operations in Waihi.

Four of the remaining five projects (Macraes Phase Four, Buller Plateaux Continuation, Rotowaro Mine Continuation, and Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project) are listed on the fast-track website, while the fifth (Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project) has applied.

While the Greens singled the seven specific projects out, they said any new applications through fast-track that fell into the coal, hardrock gold, or seabed mining categories would be captured by their position.

The government is currently in the process of [. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/579045/fast-track-law-final-approvals-still-in-hands-of-expert-panels-government-says amending the fast-track legislation further], with an aim of passing it by the end of the year.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Three off to court following quick Police work

Source: New Zealand Police

Police on the beat have launched into action, nabbing a group of alleged burglars who broke into a convenience store in the city late last night.

Just before 11.30pm, Police received a report of a break in at the shop on the corner of Karangahape Road and Day Street.

Acting Inspector Dave Plunkett, Auckland Central Area Prevention Manager, says the alleged offenders smashed the front doors before taking a number of items including cigarettes and cash.

“Police Camera Operators quickly reviewed footage and managed to track a person matching the description provided heading down Pitt Street to the corner of Hopetoun Street.

“The man has attempted to run from officers but was quickly taken into custody near the motorway.”

Acting Inspector Plunkett says another two people were also arrested nearby.

“This is another good example of frontline Police resources working together to keep the city safe and respond to any incidents that may occur.

“A search of the area by officers has also located the stolen items, which have since been returned to the owner.”

Two men, aged 39 and 37, and a 34-year-old woman will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with burglary.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police 

Posted on

Plans for new Wellington tunnel through Mt Victoria unveiled

Source: Radio New Zealand

Artist’s visualisation of a second Mt Victoria Tunnel in Wellington. NZTA / Waka Kotahi

Plans for two new tunnels for Wellington’s State highway 1 have been revealed with a total cost of up to $4 billion and significant reworking of the surrounding areas.

The Transport Agency’s proposal includes second tunnels created at Mount Victoria and The Terrace in a bid to ease bottlenecking around the Basin Reserve.

A second Mount Vic tunnel was part of the National Party’s campaign promise, and is now listed in the Fast Track Approvals Act.

The proposal says it would save up to 10 minutes during peak periods on journeys from the Wellington region to the CBD, hospital, and airport by up to 10 minutes.

The agency’s Kesh Keshaboina says the “significant proposals” have the potential to have a major impact on Wellington’s transport infrastructure.

Public meetings on the proposals are to be held in the coming weeks.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Police appeal for information following serious assault in Edendale

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are appealing for information from the public following a serious assault in Edendale on the weekend.

At around 10.55pm on Saturday (15 November), a woman knocked on the victim’s door, saying she had a flat tyre and needed help.

The victim – a man in his 50s – walked with the woman to the corner of Melvin Street and Turner Street, where he was accosted by a man and assaulted. 

During the assault, the offender also attempted to restrain the victim by tying his hands behind his back.

The victim suffered serious injuries in the assault, including a fractured eye socket and broken nose. 

Enquiries are under way to establish the identity of the man and woman involved in this incident and we’re hoping Edendale residents can help.

Following the assault, the victim saw an SUV leaving the area at speed, and we believe it is likely the man and woman were in this SUV.

To help us locate this vehicle, we would like to hear from any residents who have street-facing security cameras on Turner Street, Melvin Street, Seawood Road or Ferry Road, and who may have captured footage of the vehicle on Saturday night.

We would also like to speak to anyone who saw an SUV in the Edendale township between 10pm and midnight, or anyone with other information which could assist our enquiries.

If you can help, please contact Police via 105, quoting file number 251116/4977.  Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Posted on

Search resumes for missing fisherman off Northland coast

Source: New Zealand Police

A search for a missing fisherman off the coast of Pataua South has resumed this morning, with assistance from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Police, including the National Dive Squad, Search and Rescue crews and the Royal New Zealand Navy headed back out on the water earlier this morning.

The man was one of two people onboard a boat that was reported overdue on Friday night.

Detective Sergeant Paul Overton says the 17-foot runabout was meant to return at 7pm on Friday, and the alarm was raised at 9pm.

“On Saturday morning the boat was found drifting with no-one aboard, and shortly after a body of one of the two fishermen was found.

“This is a really tough time for the families of those fisherman, and for our community as a whole.”

Detective Sergeant Overton says search crews remain focused on bringing the missing man home to his whānau.

“A large-scale search by sea and air is ongoing, along with searches of the shoreline.

“The Royal New Zealand Navy has also kindly offered to assist in the search today, and we are grateful to have their expertise to assist.

“I would also like to like extend my thanks to all the other agencies involved in the search, as well as those members of the public who have been nothing short of generous with their time and support.”

Police continue to ask the public to contact us on 111 if you see anything unusual in the water.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Posted on

Food prices up again with dairy and eggs more expensive

Source: Radio New Zealand

Groceries, notably dairy products, eggs and instant coffee, increased 4.9 percent for the year. Morgane Perraud / Unsplash

Annual food inflation has edged higher, as rising grocery prices offset cheaper fruit and vegetables.

Stats NZ’s food price index rose 4.7 percent in the year ended October, from 4.1 percent the month before.

Groceries, notably dairy products, eggs and instant coffee, increased 4.9 percent for the year.

Meat was also more expensive.

For the month, overall prices were marginally lower as fruit and vegetables became more abundant.

Among other goods and services, power, gas, fuel and accommodation prices rose, while airfares fell.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Exporters to benefit from weak dollar, strong demand

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Exporters are expected to continue to reap the benefits of a weak dollar and strong demand, despite a drop in prices for key agricultural products, including dairy, forestry and fruit.

Major commodities were traded in US dollars and ASB’s latest commodity index was marginally higher on last year, while a differently calculated and weighted ANZ index was about 6 percent higher on a year ago.

The New Zealand dollar (NZD) traded between 54.85 and 61.2 US cents this year, and for the year to date was about 1.5 percent higher. A weaker NZD meant better export returns.

Dairy prices engulfed by supply

However, the global dairy auctions run by Fonterra had been falling over recent months, putting pressure on the co-op’s mid-point $10 per kilogram of milk solids (kgMS), with its $9.75 forecast more in line with the NZX’s forecast of between $9.68 to $9. 80 kgMS.

NZX dairy analyst Cristina Alvarado said dairy prices had fallen as global volumes increased, however, New Zealand’s grass-fed dairy products were still in strong demand.

“It’s the quality, it’s the flavour, but also the safety that many countries have,” Alvarado said, adding free trade agreements had benefited New Zealand during the ongoing global trade disruption sparked by the introduction of President Donald Trump’s US tariff policies.

“Countries that bought more from the US before, have been buying more from New Zealand,” she said.

Soft NZ dollar helps returns

Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold said the export sector remained strong, helped by the weak currency, which was also supporting the tourism sector, as visitor numbers increased.

“For most of the last six months to a year, we’ve had the unusual situation where the New Zealand dollar has been a bit weaker at the same time as external prices have been strong and also growing conditions have been good,” Eckhold said.

“Usually, there’s a bit of a counterbalance between some of these sort of factors, but they’ve all pushed in the right direction. Right now, what we’re seeing is the New Zealand dollar weakening, so therefore that’s helping support prices.”

Eckhold said the New Zealand dollar would also continue to be supportive, with its weakness expected to persist until the economy improved and interest rates stabilised.

“I don’t think that the exchange rate is likely to appreciate significantly until such time as it becomes clear that growth is starting to pick up sustainability in New Zealand, and the interest rates are no longer likely to fall,” he said.

“Next year’s outlook remains pretty uncertain still at this stage.”

Eckhold said rural communities were expected to remain resilient to the soft economy, and for dairy farmers to make the most of the likely a large cash payout from the sale of [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/577378/fonterra-ceo-says-lactalis-deal-will-allow-it-to-grow

F onterra’s consumer brands business].

A further confidence boost will also come from the Trump administration’s move to scrap the 15 percent tariff on imported beef and kiwifruit to reduce cost of living pressures on US consumers, although the sometimes erratic US tariff policy is making producers cautious.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

94 year old helps DOC upgrade popular track

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  17 November 2025

Peter is part of the Mount Somers Walkway Society, founded around 40 years ago. The volunteer group of mainly retired farmers is described as the ‘third arm’ of DOC, spending hundreds of hours looking after the Mount Somers tracks and biodiversity. They’ve just help build a new zigzag walk on the very popular Woolshed Creek Track.

DOC Geraldine Operations Manager Tony Preston says Peter Winter and the Mount Somers Walkway Society are the most productive, passionate and committed community group he has ever worked with.

“As well as Woolshed Creek, they constructed a new walk to Sharplin Falls (funded and managed by them), plus they’ve done an enormous amount of broom and gorse control in the Mt Somers area,” he says.

DOC ranger Chad Adams says they’re a key partner in the projects his team needs to get done.

“A lot of the work we do would be very difficult to achieve without them, we see them as one of us. It means we can focus on other areas. These guys are always ‘naturing’, there wouldn’t be a day go by when one of these guys isn’t out doing something. Peter’s a classic. He’s amazing at 94 to be going strong and what an inspiration,” Chad says.

Mount Somers Walkway Society President Robert Schikker says they get a huge amount of satisfaction from the work with DOC.

“Being retired farmers, we love hard physical work. Peter’s a real character and he’s been around for a long time. He’s apparently never been to the doctor. I reckon it’s this outdoor work and staying fit that keeps him going. We all enjoy a day out and bonding with each other and we love the idea that we are creating something that others can enjoy,” he says.

Chad Adams says having the group upgrade popular tracks is vital especially heading into a busy summer season.

“These tracks get masses of use, and we want to make sure they’re safe and well maintained. The Woolshed Creek Track is an ideal entry level tramp for families with the kids, as it’s an easy walk to a bookable DOC hut meaning you’re guaranteed a bed. There’s also a great flat area to pitch your tent. The work we did with the Mount Somers group has created a new zigzag track away from an area which had a bit of a steep drop off so it’s making it a lot safer for everyone. The new section of track leads down to an amazing spot called the Emerald Pools where you can have a dip,” he says.

The Mount Somers group wants more volunteers so is considering scheduling working bees in the weekend to attract younger people.

Chad Adams is keen to emphasise how much DOC values their work and how much more there is to be done.

“DOC is always busy. There’s a very long list,” he laughs.

“It’s hard work but it’s also good for your physical and mental health and you get to visit some very special spots. These guys all have big smiles on their faces, especially sitting on the hut verandah after a hard days track building.”

Peter Winter smiles and says it’s this type of work that keeps him feeling young.

“I just love it,” the 94 year old says.

Woolshed Creek Track

Family-friendly overnight or day tramp naturing experience to Woolshed Creek Hut, on one end of the Mt Somers Track. This track offers good overnight or day walking options. For a day walk, you can do a return walk to Woolshed Creek Hut or a shorter walk such as along the historic tramway route or to Blackburn Mine or trig R.

  • 5.1 km one way
  • 3 hr Intermediate tramping track

The Woolshed Creek Hut is perfect for families with children or new trampers with 26 bunk beds. Bookings are required Woolshed Creek Hut.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz